Additional Information

• Food Machinery Additives Catalog
• NSF HX-1 and HX-2 products are linked: here
• Complete NSF white list for all companies is linked: here

Frequently Asked Questions About NSF HX-1 ‘Food Machinery’ Additives

1. What are food machinery lubricant additives?

Food machinery additives are NSF HX-1 listed components used to formulate H1 food-grade lubricants that provide safe, effective lubrication in machinery with incidental food contact.

2. Are food machinery lubricant additives or “food grade” lubricant additives safe to eat or edible?

No – food machinery lubricant additives are not intended to be consumed directly and are rated for only up to 10 ppm of incidental/accidental exposure during the food manufacturing process. Additives in pure form can often possess chemical hazards until diluted into an appropriate formulation. This is why the term “food grade” is being phased out of most food machinery lubricant and grease literature.

3. What industries use food-grade lubricants?

They’re essential for food, beverage, feed, dairy, packaging, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical production—any industry operating in or supplying to the global food chain.

4. Are Functional Products Inc.’s food machinery additives NSF HX-1 registered?

Yes. Every FUNCTIONAL brand additive listed in the brochure is NSF HX-1 approved for incidental food contact and meets FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 standards.

5 Where are Functional Products’ additives manufactured?

In Macedonia, Ohio, USA, under ISO 9001:2015 (with design) certification and REACH/GHS compliance.

6. What are MOSH and MOAH, and why are they important?

MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are trace hydrocarbons of concern in food contact. Functional Products’ additives can be based in either MOAH-free white mineral oils or MOSH/MOAH-free synthetics like PAO to minimize risk. Vegetable oil-based products are also becoming a popular. Our technical team can guide to find the best option.

7. How does Functional help customers address MOSH/MOAH concerns?

By supplying non-mineral, synthetic, and biobased alternatives (e.g., V-188P2, V-584, PD-574) that avoid problematic aromatic hydrocarbons while maintaining full performance.

8. Are food machinery additives biobased or Ecolabel compliant?

Sometimes — products such as V-584, V-508, DM-400, and DF-400 are LuSC-listed for EU Ecolabel and suitable for EAL lubricants. These are popular in agricultural areas.

9. What is the difference between H1, H2, and HX-1 classifications?

• HX-1: Additives permitted in H1 lubricants.
• H1: Finished lubricant for incidental food contact where there is the potential for up to 10 ppm of contamination if a problem occurs.
• H2: Non-food contact lubricants used near equipment where the equipment is sealed and there is no possibility of contact with food.
• HX-2: Additives permitted in H2 lubricants.
• 3H: Direct food contact materials, typically release agents to prevent food from sticking to process equipment.

10. How do Functional’s additives support global food safety initiatives?

They align with ELGI Food Grade Working Group guidance, supporting transparency, safe formulation, and reduction of contamination risks in food processing equipment.

11. What do tackifiers do in food machinery lubricants?

They impart anti-fling, anti-mist, and adhesion to oils, ensuring film retention on high-speed gears and chains. The product stays in place and becomes less prone to leaking or migrating in the workspace.

12. Which Functional tackifiers are NSF HX-1 listed?

V-422, V-475, V-425, V-188P2, V-584, and V-802 — covering PIB, OCP, biobased, and aqueous chemistries.

13. What is the difference between PIB and OCP tackifiers?

PIB types (V-422, V-475) provide clear burn-off and are ideal for oven chains, while OCP types (V-425, V-188P2) offer greater shear and heat stability for gear oils.

14. Which tackifier is biobased?

V-584, derived from vegetable oil, is Ecolabel compliant for biobased and ester-based lubricants.

15. What is the best tackifier for water-based lubricants?

V-802, a proprietary aqueous tackifier, adds adhesion and mist control to glycol and synthetic water-based systems.

16. What are typical tackifier treat rates?

Use the minimum wt% to achieve the desired tack; NSF HX-1 sets no maximum, but most applications use 0.5–3 wt%.

17. Why use viscosity modifiers in H1 lubricants?

They control viscosity and improve film strength across temperature changes, ensuring stable operation in hydraulic and gear systems.

18. What are Functional’s food-grade viscosity modifiers?

V-460, V-160P2, V-732, V-508, and V-508M, covering OCP in white oil/PAO and biobased ester systems.

19. Which viscosity modifiers are biobased and Ecolabel-listed?

V-508 and V-508M, both vegetable oil–based polymers, are LuSC-listed for Ecolabel formulations.

20. What are typical treat rates?

5–30 wt% for viscosity index control depending on the base oil and desired ISO grade.

21. Are OCP viscosity modifiers shear stable?

Yes — V-460 (white oil-based) and V-160P2 (PAO-based) exhibit excellent shear stability (~25 SSI by ASTM D6278) for hydraulics and general purpose lubricants. V-732 (a 100% synthetic liquid polymer) is suitable for demanding applications in top tier H1 gear oils or heavy duty hydraulics.

22. What is the role of pour point depressants?

They lower the pour point of oils to ensure cold-start reliability in refrigerated or outdoor food production.

23. What are Functional’s HX-1 pour point depressants?

PD-440 for white oil and PD-574 for vegetable oil systems.

24. Which PPD is petroleum-free and biobased?

PD-574, the “oil-free” alternative, contains no mineral content and supports biobased, sustainable formulations.

25. What treat levels of PPD are recommended?

Typical use is 0.25–1 wt%, with 1.1% listed in NSF registration as a technical guideline.

26. What corrosion inhibitors are available?

CI-426, CI-427, and CI-498 provide rust protection for ferrous metals and are NSF HX-1 approved.

27. What chemistries are used?

Neutral amine phosphates deliver rust, wear, and mild EP performance while remaining ashless.

28. What is FUNCTIONAL CI-498?

A water-soluble rust inhibitor ideal for aqueous lubricants and coolants at treat rates around 0.1 wt%.

29. Which additives provide both corrosion and EP performance?

CI-426EP and AW-116 combine antiwear, rust, and EP functions for gear oils, chain lubricants, and greases.

30. What is FUNCTIONAL GA-400?

An ashless hydraulic and gear package used at 0.55–1.1 wt%, providing broad H1 lubricant coverage.

31. Why are defoamers and demulsifiers important in H1 fluids?

They ensure air release, water separation, and clarity, preventing foaming and emulsion stability issues in food-grade systems.

32. What are the key demulsifiers?

DM-400 (sulfonate-based, Ecolabel-listed) and DM-410 (PAG-based, ashless).

33. What defoamers are available?

DF-400, a silicone-based defoamer, works across petroleum, synthetic, and ester base oils.

34. Can DM-400 and DF-400 be used together?

Yes — they complement each other in H1, industrial, and Ecolabel fluids.

35. What treat rates are typical?

DM-400: 0.2 wt%, DF-400: 0.1 wt%—add last in the blending sequence.

36. What grease additives does Functional Products supply?

V-211, V-4064, and CERAMAX — covering tack, structure, and EP performance in NSF H1 greases.

37. What is FUNCTIONAL V-211?

A copolymer flake improving water washout resistance and mechanical strength in white oil or Group III greases.

38. What is FUNCTIONAL V-4064?

A temperature-stable polymer pellet for PAO/mPAO-based greases, enhancing thermal and oxidative stability.

39. What is CERAMAX?

A micronized boron nitride solid lubricant that provides extreme-pressure protection up to 1000 °C, safe and colorless for H1 use.

40. How much CERAMAX is typically added?

Use 1 wt%, with up to 40% maximum NSF allowance depending on formulation type.

41. Are Functional food-grade additives free of MOSH/MOAH?

Yes — they use PAO, POSH, and biobased oils, which are free from carcinogenic PAHs and aromatic hydrocarbons per ELGI and EFSA recommendations.

42. What analytical methods are used for MOSH/MOAH?

GCxGC (two-dimensional gas chromatography) and IP 346 testing ensure safe base oils and additive components.

43. How do Functional’s additives align with ELGI’s Food Grade Lubricant goals?

They promote safety, transparency, and knowledge-sharing, uniting performance chemistry with proactive risk reduction in the food sector.

44. Do FUNCTIONAL additives affect taste, color, or odor of food?

No — most are low-odor, low-color, and chemically inert, preventing contamination or sensory issues. Food machinery lubricants using FUNCTIONAL additives are only intended for incidental/accidental contact with food up to 10 ppm during food manufacturing.

45. What base oils are recommended for H1 formulations?

White mineral oil (USP), PAO, Group III synthetics, and vegetable esters depending on performance and sustainability needs.

46. How should additives be blended?

Warm base oil to 60–80 °C, add functional additive slowly under agitation, and incorporate defomer last to maintain dispersion.

47. How can customers request samples or technical data?

Contact usor visit the Literature section to obtain TDS, SDS, NSF certificates, or formulation support.