3 replies to this topic

[miatommy]

Our operators have started a habit where they spray lubricant directly on equipment where food contact packaging goes.  I know that food grade is for incidental, but it is for all the time contact.  

[jfrey123]

Does your SOP allow for lubricant to be sprayed during operation?  If not, make them stop.  Immediately.  Enforce your chemical control protocols and make sure production employees don't have access to maintenance chemicals. 

 

Then review and try to figure out why they need to do this.  Your post is a bit light on details, but I'd be searching to figure out what is different that now the staff is adopting this practice.  Off hand I wonder:  Is there something new with the packaging you're producing that is causing the plastic to stick to the machines?  Is it because the raw material inputs have been altered without your company's knowledge?  Is the machine not heating/cooling correctly to permit the packaging item to release as it is created?  Is there an air mechanism that is supposed to help packaging release from the machine that is now faulty?

 

Or is this merely a case where your production staff think they found a way to make their lives easier?  

 

Food grade lubricants are still toxic.  You wouldn't want to spread a food grade grease on your bread in lieu of mayo before making a sandwich.  If lube at this stage is contaminating your finished product (the packaging), this practice is putting the company in serious jeopardy.

[miatommy]

I plant on reviewing it.  It just seems like all of sudden the spray lubricant is the new fix it, and I am trying to control it.  They use it to help the lids slide into the seamer, but it is still a part of the food contact. 

Thanks for your answer. 

[GMO]

If your lubricant is for incidental contact then it absolutely is not for lubricating product or packaging flow and is not fixing the root cause. Whatever the packaging is moving over might need changing the surface or finish of it so it flows better.

An auditor once explained an issue raised on AIB for this, (AIB are super hot on this as a finding). Even if it's "food safe" most food safe lubricants are only meant to be food safe for a tiny amount accidentally getting in product flow. If it's not part of your ingredients listing, you should not be deliberately permitting it into product flow.