Can seaming lubricant minimises food safety risks

Shell Lubricants (Shell) has announced the launch of its latest can seaming lubricant, FM Gear Oil TLS 150.

Shell Lubricants (Shell) has announced the launch of its latest can seaming lubricant, FM Gear Oil TLS 150.

Over the past 40 years, general aviation piston engine oils have been widely used throughout the industry for lubricating can seamers.

Most can seamers lose some oil during operation, and some of this oil may end up inside the can.

However, if a non-food grade lubricant enters a food or beverage can, before or while it is being seamed, the product is considered adulterated and is, therefore, unfit for consumption and sale.

Shell said its range of food grade can seaming lubricants (FM Gear Oil TLS 150; Cassida Fluid GLE 150 and Cassida Grease RLS 1) are designed specifically for use in can seamers and will help manage food safety risks at the can seamer.

Incidental contact with NSF H1 registered food grade lubricants is considered acceptable at levels up to 10 parts per million (ppm) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As oil in total loss lubrication can seamers stays in the machine for only a relatively short period of time, the formulation for FM Gear Oil TLS 150 is based on technical white oil.

Using a similar additive technology to that used in synthetic Cassida Fluid GLE 150 for recirculating can seamers, FM Gear Oil TLS 150 is specially formulated to provide good lubrication even when operating in conditions where contamination with water, juice, and food can occur said Shell.

Because these fluids are held in suspension, FM Gear Oil TLS 150 protects metal surfaces from wear and corrosion.

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