A recipe for success
November 1st 2006 Edward Baresh, sales manager at Batoyle Freedom Group, discusses how food manufacturers and processors can meet the needs of the Food Grade Code of Practice while also improving equipment efficiency by using its Food Safe lubricants The 'farm to fork' approach to food safety introduced by the Hygiene of Foodstuffs 852/2004/EC Regulation placed impetus on food manufacturers and processors across the entire food chain spectrum to introduce procedures which would identify and prevent risks of food contamination. Within the compressed air sector, the result of this legislation, was the introduction of a Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice (CoP) created by the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) in conjunction with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in order to provide guiding principles in regulating the use of compressed air within the food industry. Whilst the resultant CoP is only voluntary, the perceived threat of failure to comply is the driving force to make the requirement self regulatory. Most food manufacturers who didn't already have HACCP (Hazard and Critical Control Points) systems in place have been quick to adopt their own hygiene procedures. Using food grade lubricants within a compressed air system is one requirement stipulated in the BCAS/BRC CoP. More widely the Hygiene legislation highlights the importance of monitoring and preventing contamination from all lubrication points such as on conveyor belts, chains, pumps and so forth. However, historically food manufacturers have been deterred from integrating food grade lubricants. As Edward Baresh explains; "Traditionally made from a mineral composite, food grade lubricants were not able to provide the key benefits required of a lubricant such as oxidation stability, thermal stability and lubricity which assist in extending the lifetime of the machinery and reducing costly downtimes. Such factors made food grade lubricants a very unsavoury proposition. Fortunately, food grade lubricant technology has progressed. At Batoyle, we have always provided industry with specialised lubricants, none more so than the high performance Food Safe range of synthetic based non-toxic, odourless, colourless and tasteless oils and greases formulated to meet the highest hygiene standards." All Batoyle Food Safe oils and greases are formulated using the very latest 'food safe' synthetic fluid technology and only with ingredients listed by the FDA. Moreover, they exceed the requirements of the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) H1 standard which requires that lubricants used in food processing equipment are safe and harmless if consumed accidentally. Opting for high performance synthetic based food grade lubricants also offers a plethora of 'added' benefits not realised by mineral based counterparts. Reduce downtime & improve production efficiency Designed for plain and anti-friction bearings, Batoyle Food Safe greases in particular, have proven to reduce mechanical wear. Load carrying and frictional capabilities inherent in this superior synthetic based fluid have made it possible to extend lubricant service periods and offer greater bearing life. Similarly, Batoyle Food Safe Hydra, a fluid developed for hydraulic systems, extends lubricant service periods and promotes high equipment performance. Low friction coefficient and energy absorption notably reduce frictional losses and wear and excellent demulsibility characteristics allow for rapid separation from air which reduce problematic foam and residue build up. Extend equipment life Equipment life can be extended when using a synthetic based lubricant such as Batoyle's Food Safe Air Line Fluid. Specially formulated for use on pneumatics airlines, this fluid contributes to extended equipment life due to excellent air moisture resistance ensuring maximum corrosion protection of internal parts. Batoyle Food Safe 220 extends the equipment life of conveyor chains and industrial gearboxes boasting exceptional penetrative action which ensures maximum protection to links and pins reducing wear of the chains. Multi-task Being able to use one lubricant at a number of points is advantageous. Batoyle Food Safe Multispray is conveniently provided in an aerosol spray for the general lubrication of links, pins, pivots, small bearings, drive chains and conveyor belts. It is also particularly versatile due to its extremely wide operating temperatures. Edward Baresh concludes; "It is clear that all food manufacturers and processors following the HACCP principle must ensure that preventative action is taken at all lubrication points to reduce the risk of food contamination. Integrating high performance food grade oils and greases developed at the cutting edge of fluid technology is one way to reduce the hazard risk whilst at the same time reducing downtime and improving the equipments life and efficiency." More articles from Batoyle Freedom Group: | 
