One of the questions we get asked most frequently - 'is WD40 food safe?' It is understandable as WD40 is such a ubiquitous product and effective for a diverse range of applications.
In food and beverage manufacturing, it’s crucial to use lubricants that meet strict safety standards to prevent contamination. WD40 does not meet these criteria and using it could result in serious compliance violations, risking product recalls or costly non-conformances.
In the UK, companies in the food industry are required to use NSF-registered, food-grade lubricants to meet audit requirements set by bodies like BRC Global Standard for Food Safety and McDonald's SQMS. These standards exist to protect consumer health and ensure that products are free from contamination.
This is where Activate's 100% food-grade lubricants come in. Activate Lubricants offers a full range of synthetic food-safe oils, greases, aerosols, and food-grade application equipment, all designed to meet these stringent requirements. All Activate products, including the Penetrating Oil spray lubricant aerosol - a food-grade replacement for WD40 - are fully compliant with NSF H1 standards, ensuring that your production line remains safe and efficient while meeting audit regulations.
Unlike WD40, Penetrating Oil is designed to safely displace water, penetrate corroded parts, protect against rust, and provide a durable lubricant film, all within a safe temperature range of -45 to 170°C. With over 30 years of experience, Activate ensures peace of mind through systemised management, pre-audit inspections, and non-conformance product collection, making them a trusted partner for food safety compliance.
So is WD40 food safe?
Unfortunately, while WD40 is a popular all-purpose lubricant, it is NOT food safe and should never be used on machinery involved in food production, packaging, or treatment processes.
Using food-grade lubricants like Activate’s range is essential for ensuring safety, compliance, and operational efficiency in food production, while non-food safe alternatives like WD40 must be avoided.
Explore the Activate foodgrade lubricants range here
