Food-grade lubricants going halal

Working hard but unnoticed, food-grade lubricants are essential components that keep machines running smoothly and hygienically in environments where incidental contact with products may occur – conveyor belts, mixing processes, bottle filling, and other processes involving food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, and packaging.

 

The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML), a leading authority on lubrication standards and best practices, defines a food-grade lubricant as “a special lubricant made from restricted raw materials to ensure compliance with health and food safety standards, and is physiologically inert, tasteless, odorless, and internationally approved.” As such, they meet the stringent demands of both regulatory bodies and consumer expectations.

 

Food-grade lubricants come in different types:

• - Release agents are edible oils (such as soybean or sunflower) that are applied in bakery processing to prevent sticking in baking or molding.
• - Fluid lubricants (oils) are used for chains, gears, and pumps.
• - Semi-solid lubricants (greases) lubricate bearings and high-load applications, and are often NSF H1 certified.
• - Pastes are thick, high-viscosity lubricants for assembly or threaded connections
• - Solid coatings or dry films lubricate surfaces of conveyor belts or bread molds

 

 

Photo of yogurt © Andrey Lebedev I Dreamstime.com

 

Halal certification matters

At least in Southeast Asia, food-grade halal certified lubricants are expected to increase. As Indonesia’s government will require consumer products, including lubricants, to be halal-certified by October 2026, manufacturers of food and other consumables, have this to act on. Halal-certified lubricants meet both NSF H1 and Halal labeling requirements, which cover safety, hygiene, and religious compliance. 

 

According to Ecovia Intelligence, the rise of halal labeling in Southeast Asia is driven more by regulatory enforcement rather than consumer demand, making it a non-negotiable for compliance teams.

 

Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Law (UU JPH) is setting the tone for the region, with Malaysia and Brunei already enforcing similar standards. For manufacturers exporting to these markets, there is a need to audit every input in the production process.

 

Lubricants that are certified to halal and kosher standards are available from companies such as LUBCON, CPI Fluid Engineering, and Setral® who cater to food producers, including those in Southeast Asia, and offer products that meet both religious compliance and technical performance standard.

 

Innovations in food-grade lubricants

Silicone-based formulations are gaining traction for high-speed, high-temperature applications in bottling and packaging lines. They are inert by nature and therefore work well for applications in incidental food contact zones.

 

For companies that are sustainability-driven, biodegradable and plant-based lubricants, or those made from renewable vegetable oils, are the options.  

 

According to a market report on food grade lubricant market by Future Market Insights Inc, bio-based and allergen-free food grade lubricants are being developed in accordance with the clean label trend in the food processing industry.

 

Multi-functional lubricants combine lubrication, anti-corrosion, anti-wear and cleaning properties, thus making them the option for compact operations with limited maintenance windows.

 

In equipment, automated lubrication units also called smart dispensing systems are designed to deliver precise amounts of food-grade lubricant to machinery. These systems are increasingly used in automated food and beverage production lines to improve hygiene and efficiency. SKF Lincoln offers IoT-enabled lubrication systems that allow precise dosing and reduce waste. They support predictive maintenance, and are integrated into automated F&B production lines.

 

Further innovations are anticipated as companies respond to tightening food safety standards and measures, and to the rapid pace in automation.

 

References:

International Council for Machinery Lubrication. https://www.icmlonline.com/Default.aspx

SKF Lincoln. https://www.skf.com/group/products/lubrication-management/lincolnindustrial

Future Market Insights - Food Grade Lubricant Market Outlook from 2025 to 2035. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/global-food-grade-lubricants-market

Ecovia Intelligence. https://www.ecoviaint.com/