To this day there are no clear rulings or standards outlawing the use of non-food grade lubricants for food and beverage handling and manufacturing plants, except in a few countries and then only when there is a risk of contact with foodstuffs. But stringent US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) decrees state that the allowed tolerance of lube oil and grease in food stuff is zero parts per million. Although good engineering and well maintained machinery can certainly reduce the risk of lubricant contamination, it can never be completely ruled out. From leaks in high pressure hydraulics, drips from grease nipples or crimping rollers, the risk of lubricant contamination is varied and ever present. The risk of contamination is even more prominent due to the fact that it is extremely difficult to detect and measure minimal lubricant contamination in food.
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