Vnovo Food-Grade Lubricants
1. What Is Food-Grade Grease?
Food-grade lubricants are lubricants that, even when they come into incidental contact with food during production, do not pose any physiological hazard to consumers or affect the odor or taste of food.
In the production of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and animal feed (including packaging processes involving direct product contact), preventing contamination from lubricants on machine elements (such as gears, bearings, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, compressors, slides, and chains) is a fundamental requirement. When complete avoidance of contact between product and lubricant is impossible, lubricants approved for food contact must be used.
2. USDA Food-Grade Classification
Food-grade lubricants are classified based on intended use and compliance with food hygiene requirements into the following USDA categories:
2.1 USDA H-1: Incidental Food Contact
USDA H-1 lubricants are approved for use on equipment components where incidental contact with food may occur. Vnovo food-grade products are certified under NSF H-1 (the successor to USDA H-1).
Vnovo NSF Registration Numbers: 146036 (DG damping), 146037 (FG food-grade), 146038 (SG silicone).
Verify at: www.nsf.org (NSF White Book).
2.2 USDA H-2: No Food Contact
USDA H-2 lubricants contain non-toxic ingredients and may be used for equipment lubrication in food processing plants where the lubricant or lubricated machine components have no possibility of contacting food.
2.3 USDA H-3: Soluble Oils
USDA H-3 refers to water-soluble oils. Machine components must be cleaned and the emulsion removed before reuse.
3. Vnovo Food-Grade Product Portfolio
The following table presents Vnovo’s complete range of food-grade lubricants with technical specifications. All products listed are NSF H-1 certified for incidental food contact.
| Function | Model | Color | Base Oil | Thickener | NLGI | Temp. (C) | Features & Applications |
| Food Grade Oil | FG-L | Transparent | PAO | N/A | N/A | -40~180 | Full synthetic; colorless, odorless; high/low temperature stability, oxidation resistance. Suitable for high-temperature chains, seals, slide rails, and other incidental food-contact structures. |
| Food Grade Grease | FG-2 | Beige | Mineral Oil | Aluminum Complex | 2 | -20~180 | For gears, bearings, and guide rails in food processing, medical, cosmetic, and appliance machinery. |
| Noise-Reducing Grease | FG-2E | White | Synthetic Oil | Inorganic | 2 | -40~130 | For lubrication and noise reduction of plastic and metal gears. |
| Heavy-Duty Grease | FG-2A | White | Synthetic Oil | PTFE | 2 | -40~200 | High-concentration PTFE formula; excellent wear resistance and high-temperature performance. For food-grade valves, lead screws, and bearings. |
| Food Grade Silicone | SG-2 | White | Silicone Oil | Inorganic | 2 | -50~200 | Silicone-based; broad temperature range; chemical and water resistance. For seals, toys, electrical appliance sealing/insulation/moisture protection. |
| Food Grade Damping | DG-2 | White | Synthetic Oil | Inorganic | 2 | -20~150 | Damping, vibration reduction, noise reduction, and lubrication for medical, appliance, and toy components. |
4. Food-Grade Grease Selection Guide
When selecting a food-grade grease, four critical factors should be evaluated:
Stability under harsh conditions: Maintain stability and lubrication in aggressive environments (exposure to acids, fruit juices, by-products).
Pumpability across a wide temperature range: Ensure consistent flow and delivery across operating temperatures.
Anti-seizure, anti-wear, and anti-spalling under heavy loads: Protect equipment under high mechanical stress.
Moisture and rust protection: Prevent water ingress corrosion in production environments.
5. Base Oil Categories for Food-Grade Lubricants
White Oil (Refined Mineral Oil): The most common and highest-volume category; relatively lower cost.
Synthetic Oil: Superior high and low temperature performance; higher cost.
Bio-based Oil (Vegetable Oil-based): Naturally low toxicity, biodegradable; performance comparable to synthetic oils; priced between mineral and synthetic oils.
6. Quick Model Selection by Application
Need a synthetic food-grade oil for chains at -40~180 C? FG-L (PAO, NSF H1)
Universal food-grade grease for gears and bearings in food machinery? FG-2 (Aluminum Complex, NLGI 2)
Heavy-load food-grade for valves and lead screws? FG-2A (PTFE-thickened)
Food-grade damping for medical devices? DG-2 (-20~150 C)
Food-grade rubber seal lubrication? SG-2 (Silicone-based, -50~200 C)
7. Product Packaging
Vnovo food-grade lubricants are available in multiple packaging formats to accommodate different usage volumes:
Small-volume packaging for trial and sampling (1 kg, 5 kg)
Standard pails (15 kg, 18 kg)
Drums (170 kg) for high-volume production lines
Custom packaging available upon request (OEM/ODM)
8. About Vnovo
Lifetime Lubrication, Vnovo’s Commitment.
Since its founding in 2007, Vnovo (Dongguan Vnovo New Material Technology Co., Ltd.) has consistently upheld the “Lifetime Lubrication” philosophy, dedicated to providing full-lifecycle lubrication assurance for customer equipment. With 18 years of specialization in custom specialty grease R&D and manufacturing, Vnovo is a high-tech enterprise with:
6,000 sqm production base / 15,000 sqm factory area
Annual production capacity: 820,000 kg
IATF 16949, ISO 9001, NSF Food-Grade, and Intellectual Property Management System certifications
50+ patents (including 11 invention patents)
Vnovo is the sole authorized distributor of Japan NICHIMOLY in China and has imported DAIZO process technology from Japan with a complete production line. The company provides one-stop services including custom lubrication formulation, toll blending, and import substitution. Its product portfolio spans 12 categories including gear greases, silicone greases, damping greases, dry film lubricants, contact greases, fluorinated greases (PFPE), food-grade lubricants, high-temperature greases, anti-seize compounds, rubber-compatible greases, non-bleed greases, and conductive greases. Vnovo serves over 5,000 customers across more than 30 industries including automotive, humanoid robotics, precision electronics, home appliances, power tools, switchgear & power, hardware & sanitary ware, office equipment, and food & medical.
Vnovo supports OEM/ODM customization with a minimum order quantity of 30 kg and 72-hour rapid prototyping. Service commitments include 24-hour delivery within the Pearl River Delta and a 30-day risk-free trial program.
9. Certifications & Compliance
NSF H1 Food-Grade: Certificates 146036, 146037, 146038. Verify at www.nsf.org (NSF White Book).
IATF 16949: Automotive quality management system certification.
ISO 9001: Quality management system certification.
RoHS & REACH: Environmental and chemical substance compliance for EU markets.
10. Contact & Learn More
For product inquiries, technical consultation, or custom formulation requests:
Website: www.vnovo.com
Search: “Vnovo Lubrication” or “VNOVO” to visit official channels.
Custom orders: Minimum 30 kg; samples available within 72 hours.
