Food grade lubricant: 6 questions to ask your supplier

In food production, choosing the right food lubricant is not just a technical matter-it is a strategic decision that affects safety, regulatory compliance andplant efficiency. An error in product or supplier selection can lead to production stoppages, contamination risks and penalties during food safety audits.

Find out what to ask your supplier

In this article, taken from our dedicated Expert video, we guide you through 6 key questions to ask your supplier to select the right food-grade lubricant for your production needs. A piece of content designed for technical managers, maintainers, and industry professionals who want to avoid mistakes and focus on quality.

1. Do food grade lubricants comply with regulations?

Not all lubricants are suitable for use in food. A certified food-grade lubricant must meet specific requirements. Certifications to be obtained from the supplier include:

• NSF H1: for incidental use in food contact areas.
• ISO 21469: hygienic process certification.
• Kosher and Halal.
• GMO and allergen-free statements.

Essential is to request official and up-to-date documents, as this is the only way to protect your production during inspections and audits.

2. Do food lubricants improve production efficiency?

A food grade lubricant is not only a protective fluid; it is also responsible for optimizing energy consumption and improving the performance of food machinery. The best products on the market today, such as those in Petro-Canada‘s PURITY™ FG range, offer:

• Less wear and tear on components.
• Longer duration of lubrication cycles.
• High performance even at extreme temperatures.

A good supplier should help you choose the food-grade lubricant that optimizes your plant, reducing downtime.

3. Does the lubricant supplier also offer technical support?

A true partner does not just sell you a food lubricant, but supports you in overall management. A controller feature therefore is to verify that the supplier offers:

• Customized technical consultations.
• Support in operator training.
• Assistance in warehouse management

With comprehensive service, you can reduce the number of lubricants used, avoid overlaps, and increase maintenance efficiency.

4. Is there concrete evidence on the effectiveness of the products?

A change in lubricants is a choice that should be made judiciously. Your supplier should offer you:

• Laboratory tests.
• Comparative analysis with competitors.
• Real case studies.

Mascherpa, for example, shows with hard data how Petro-Canada food lubricants can reduce energy consumption, increase component life and improve productivity.

5. How can you help me simplify my warehouse?

Many companies store dozens of different lubricants, creating complexity and unnecessary costs. An experienced supplier helps you to:

• Reduce the variety of products.
• Avoid cross-contamination.
• Simplify ordering and storage.

This approach leads to less waste and greater traceability, two crucial elements in the food sector.

6. Is the logistics network reliable?

Finally, it is good to ask if your supplier can guarantee continuity in deliveries. For food grade lubricant, timely availability and the presence of required documentation for each destination are essential.

Mascherpa’s partnership with Petro-Canada ensures a strong distribution network, fast delivery and a full range of certified food grade lubricants.

Mascherpa and Petro-Canada: a winning partnership

The decades-long collaboration between Mascherpa and Petro-Canada allows us to offer numerous solutions among which we find:

• PURITY™ FG lubricants: free of PFAS, GMOs, allergens.
• Lubricants for refrigeration (REFLO) and compressors (SYN).
• 99.9% pure white oils, thanks to the hydrotreatment process.
• Products with high thermal stability and low volatility.

All solutions designed to meet the latest European regulations and ensure maximum food safety.

Come visit us at IPACK-IMA 2025

Mascherpa will be present at IPACK-IMA 2025, the leading international event dedicated to processing & packaging. A unique opportunity to learn more about food lubricants with our experts and discover the latest technological innovations.

Also discover the Mascherpa Expert to access technical content, tips and best practices from the world of industrial lubrication.