“Food-grade grease” is one of the most requested – and most misunderstood – product categories we export. This post clarifies what NSF H1 actually means, where it is legally required, and what documentation you should demand from any supplier.
What NSF H1 actually certifies
NSF (National Sanitation Foundation, USA) administers the registration program originally defined by the USDA. An H1 registration means: this lubricant is composed of substances acceptable for incidental food contact – components evaluated against FDA 21 CFR 178.3570 and related listings. It does not mean the lubricant is edible, and it does not mean any amount is acceptable. “Incidental contact” is defined as technically unavoidable traces – a leaking bearing over a conveyor, grease migration at a chain.
Where H1 is required
- Any lubricated position where leakage could drip, mist or migrate into food, packaging, or food-contact surfaces: conveyor bearings above product lines, chains and oven chains, gearbox output shafts near open product, filling machine slides.
- Export goods to the USA, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan: H1 (or local equivalent, e.g. ISO 21469 certification) is either legally required or demanded by retailer audit standards (BRCGS, SQF, FSSC 22000).
Where H2 is fine: positions with zero possibility of food contact – the compressor in a separate machine room, forklift chassis, the outside of sealed equipment. H2 greases are cheaper and perform better in extreme loads. Over-specifying H1 everywhere wastes money.
The paperwork that backs the claim
Any genuine H1 product has three things you can verify:
- An NSF registration number – check it live at nsf.com (search “NSF White Book” – registrations are public and free to verify).
- A COA per batch matching the registered formulation.
- ISO 21469 certification (optional but stronger) – adds hygiene manufacturing requirements, not just formulation review.
Buying “food-grade” grease without a verifiable NSF number is buying a label. We have seen quote sheets where the “H1” line item has no registration behind it at all.
Our H1 line
LLF Grease manufactures NSF-registered H1 greases in both aluminium-complex and calcium-sulfonate chemistries, NLGI 1 and 2, suitable for bakery ovens (up to 200 °C), bottling lines (water washdown), and general food-plant bearings. Registration numbers are printed on the COA and available for your audit file before you order.
Auditing your lubrication positions and not sure which need H1 vs H2? Send us your line layout sketch – we will mark the positions and quote accordingly.