NSF H1 · NSF 537 · PFAS-free
Food grade lubricants: ensuring safety in the food and beverage industry
Interflon supplies NSF H1-registered food-grade lubricants for food and beverage production, including PFAS-free products independently certified under NSF 537. They combine reliable lubrication performance with documented food-safety compliance for applications where incidental food contact may occur.
With Interflon, you not only meet all applicable regulations , you can prove it.
Besides that, our NSF H1 and A1 products hold The Vegan Society's Vegan Trademark, signifying that they contain no animal-derived ingredients or undergo animal testing. And they are Kosher and Halal certified, complying with specific dietary laws.
All food-grade greases, All food-grade oils, Interflon Food Lube 3H, Interflon Food Grease 3H
What are food-grade lubricants?
Food-grade lubricants are specially formulated for safe use in the food and beverage industry. They reduce friction and protect production equipment from corrosion, moisture, and contaminants.
While their manufacturing process is similar to that of conventional lubricants, food-grade variants use carefully selected, high-quality raw materials that are free from harmful substances. These lubricants are rigorously tested and certified to meet strict safety and performance standards.
Interflon's food-grade lubricants and cleaners are specifically designed to withstand the demanding conditions of food processing plants and beverage factories. They are capable of enduring daily cleaning routines involving pressure washers, hot water, and even aggressive chemicals.
Interflon is the first lubricant supplier in the world to achieve NSF 537 PFAS-free certification across a complete H1 and 3H food-grade range, giving you independently verified, audit-ready proof of PFAS-free status.
Results from customers
Over 20,000 food and beverage producers worldwide trust Interflon. Our NSF-certified and PFAS-free products guarantee safe operations and help minimize downtime while enhancing the reliability of your machines.
What that looks like in practice:
- A Bolognese sauce manufacturer eliminated oil leaks and product contamination by switching to Interflon.
- A customer saved 4,000 litres of water per month and eliminated contamination risks food-grade dry lubricant on their conveyor belts.
- An apple processing plant extended the service life of bearings and chains to 2 to 3 seasons,
- A global beer brewery saved €500 per month after switching to Interflon Food Grease 1 in their bottle washing system.
- A fryer producer achieved annual savings exceeding €60,000 through optimised bearing lubrication.
Which industries use food-grade lubricants?
Food-grade lubricants are essential in any environment where lubricated equipment operates near food or beverage products. Interflon supplies NSF H1 certified lubricants and cleaners to manufacturers across the full food and beverage supply chain. Explore the specific lubrication challenges and solutions for your industry:
- Beverage industry, filling machines, blow moulders, labellers, conveyor belts
- Poultry processing, transport chains, stunning conveyors, washdown-resistant bearing grease
- Bakeries, chains in kneading and proofer areas, spiral freezers, packaging lines
- Agriculture, PTO cardan shafts, harvester chains, heavily contaminated environments
- Fruit processing, calibrator chains, air rail systems, high-water environments
Applications include conveyor chains, bearings, gearboxes, hydraulic systems and other lubrication points exposed to demanding conditions such as washdown, moisture, temperature extremes or contamination.
How do I choose the right food-grade lubricant?
Start by determining whether incidental food contact is possible and which NSF classification is required. Then assess the operating conditions of the lubrication point, including component type, load, speed, temperature, water exposure, contamination and relubrication interval.
For example, chains often require good penetration and resistance to washout, while bearing greases must be selected according to load, speed, temperature and water exposure. See chain lubrication cases.
A food-grade registration therefore tells you where a lubricant may be used; technical suitability still depends on the application.
Certifications for peace of mind
Our food-grade lubricants meet the highest health and safety standards set by renowned organizations such as NSF, HACCP, BRC, and IFS. They are also vegan, kosher and halal certified, ensuring suitability for any target group. All relevant documents and certificates are readily available for you to view online, so you are always up to date. Find out exactly what auditors check and what to have ready on our audit documentation page.
Commitment to quality
Interflon holds ISO 9001 and ISO 21469 certifications, demonstrating our dedication to maintaining exceptional quality throughout our production process. ISO 21469 is the international hygiene standard specifically for the manufacture of food-grade lubricants, it certifies not just the product, but the entire production process. We adhere to strict hygiene protocols, preventing any possibility of contamination. When you choose Interflon, you can trust that you are receiving safe and top-quality products.
Reasons to choose Interflon:
- PFAS-free certified under NSF 537 — independently verified, publicly listed
- World's first complete H1 and 3H range with NSF 537 certification
- Proven savings: up to €60,000 per year per application
- NSF H1 & ISO 21469 certified across the full range
- Specifically designed for use in a food processing environment
- Minimize machine downtime
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Ensure safer business operations
- Lower energy consumption and CO2 emissions
- Kosher and halal certifications for broader suitability
- Free from animal-derived ingredients and animal testing
- MicPol® technology for significantly lower friction and longer relubrication intervals
Frequently Asked Questions about food-grade lubricants
NSF 537 matters because it is NSF International’s PFAS-free certification standard for lubricants, introduced in 2025. It independently verifies that a lubricant contains no intentionally added PFAS substances. Unlike a supplier’s own PFAS-free claim, NSF 537 certification is publicly verifiable via NSF’s online listings and provides documentation that supports supplier approval processes, HACCP audits, and GFSI-aligned quality systems.
Interflon is the world’s first lubricant supplier to achieve NSF 537 certification across a complete H1 and 3H food-grade range.
The different NSF classifications for lubricants define where each product may be used within a food processing environment, based on the risk of contact with food at that lubrication point.
- NSF H1 covers lubricants for incidental food contact. These are used in production areas where contact between the lubricant and food may occur. The permitted trace level in the final product may not exceed 10 ppm. NSF H1 is the most common and strictest classification for active production zones.
- NSF H2 covers lubricants with no food contact. These are permitted in food processing facilities, but only in areas where contact with food is completely impossible, such as enclosed systems outside the production zone.
- NSF 3H covers release agents used on food-contact surfaces to prevent food from adhering during processing. Typical applications include grills, ovens, baking pans, chopping boards and other hard surfaces that come into direct contact with food.
Read our full guide to NSF certification for lubricants for a detailed breakdown of H1, H2, 3H and NSF 537.
An H2 lubricant can be used in a food preparation environment only where food contact is completely ruled out at that lubrication point. H2 lubricants are permitted in food processing facilities, but only in areas with no possibility of contact with food. Where any risk of contact exists, however small, an NSF H1 lubricant is required. Manufacturers who use H2 lubricants in borderline areas must document that adequate measures are in place to prevent contamination. When in doubt, H1 is always the correct choice.
The difference between "food grade" and "food safe" is one of scope.
"Food grade" is a defined regulatory term that refers to materials approved for contact with food under specific standards, such as FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 for lubricants. Examples of food-grade materials include stainless steel, glass, certain plastics and NSF H1 registered lubricants.
"Food safe" is a broader, less regulated term that refers to anything that presents no harmful effects when used in connection with food. It can apply to materials, equipment, processes or storage conditions. A product can be described as food safe without carrying any formal certification, which is why "food grade" with a specific NSF classification is the more meaningful and auditable standard in a food manufacturing context.
A food-grade lubricant for conveyor chains should be selected according to the chain load, speed, temperature, water or washdown exposure, contamination and relubrication interval. Where incidental food contact may occur, an NSF H1-registered chain lubricant is required. Interflon food-grade chain lubricants are used in applications including bakeries, poultry processing and fruit processing, where chains are exposed to frequent cleaning and demanding operating conditions.
The right NSF H1 food-grade grease for bearings depends on the bearing load, speed, operating temperature, water or washdown exposure, contamination and relubrication interval. In food-processing areas where incidental food contact may occur, select an NSF H1-registered grease that also matches these operating conditions. Interflon offers food-grade bearing greases for applications ranging from frequent washdown to high and low temperatures.
Do you have any questions about our food-grade lubricants? Do not hesitate to contact us!
Author: Janneke van der Pol, MLT1
Reviewed by: Mika Römpötti, Technical Manager Interflon Finland
