MOSH and MOAH in NSF-H1 Food Grade Lubricants

MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are compounds found in some mineral-based lubricants that can migrate into food products through incidental contact. Understanding the distinction between them, and the certification frameworks that verify their absence, is increasingly important for food and beverage manufacturers operating under BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000 and retailer qualification requirements.

What are MOSH and MOAH?

MOAH stands for Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Scientific and regulatory attention is focused specifically on this aromatic fraction of mineral oil, particularly certain structures associated with genotoxic and carcinogenic risk. EFSA has flagged MOAH as a substance of concern, and national food safety authorities in several EU member states run active monitoring programmes.
MOSH stands for Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons. MOSH is generally considered less hazardous than MOAH, but it is subject to accumulation in human tissue and remains under regulatory review. The two fractions require separate assessment and should not be treated as interchangeable.
MOAH-free does not automatically mean MOSH-free, and MOSH-free does not mean MOAH-free. A lubricant can be free of one fraction while containing the other. When selecting food-grade lubricants, it is important to establish which fractions have been tested and by whom.
 

NSF 538: independent verification of MOAH-free claims

NSF International introduced Certification Guideline 538 in July 2025, establishing the first independent framework for verification of MOAH-free claims in lubricants. The certification assesses products through formulation and label review, independent laboratory MOAH analysis and a quality-control review of supporting documentation. Results are publicly listed in NSF's online registry and can be verified by any auditor or procurement team without contacting the lubricant supplier.

Interflon has become the first lubricant manufacturer worldwide to achieve NSF 538 MOAH-free certification across a complete food-grade portfolio, covering its full range of NSF H1 and 3H registered lubricants. This did not require a change in formulation: keeping MOAH out of food-grade lubricants has long been part of Interflon's formulation philosophy. NSF 538 independently verifies an approach already embedded in our product development standards.

Classification challenges

Our comprehensive white paper delves into the complexities surrounding these compounds in the context of NSF-H1 food grade lubricants. We shed light on the challenges associated with classifying these compounds, the limitations of current analytical techniques, and interpretational discrepancies that can lead to confusion and uncertainty.

Independent study

Interflon commissioned an independent study to evaluate the MOSH and MOAH content of two of our NSF-H1 food grade lubricants and three competing products. The study yielded reassuring results, demonstrating that all MOAH detected were of the non-potentially carcinogenic type, findings that are consistent with Interflon's NSF 538 MOAH-free certification achieved in 2026. These findings are presented in the white paper.

We emphasize that with the right choice of NSF-H1 lubricants, standardized lubrication procedures and HACCP measures, the risk of contamination from NSF-H1 lubricants can be minimized to a minimum.

Interflon's MOAH-free and PFAS-free certification position

Interflon's food-grade lubricant portfolio carries independent verification across four complementary certification areas: NSF H1 registration per individual product (incidental food contact), ISO 21469 manufacturing certification (production hygiene and traceability), NSF 537 PFAS-free certification (achieved January 2026), and NSF 538 MOAH-free certification (September 2026). Interflon is the first and only lubricant supplier to hold both NSF 537 and NSF 538 across a complete food-grade portfolio.

All certificates and compliance documentation are available for download without a request process. For large-scale audits or multi-product qualification exercises, a complete audit pack is available on request.
View all certifications and download compliance documentation here.