In today’s food and beverage industry, the stakes for maintaining sanitation, traceability, and safety compliance have never been higher. For a U.S.-based beverage production facility specializing in aseptic packaging, meeting international safety standards is a daily imperative—not just for product integrity, but also for maintaining consumer trust and avoiding costly recalls.

One of the most persistent challenges the facility faced was ensuring that all lubricants and cleaners used during production were not only effective and safe but also compliant with strict regulatory guidelines. Documentation and traceability of these products were critical, and the use of non-NSF-certified or difficult-to-verify chemicals had become a source of frequent delays and operational inefficiencies.

The Food Safety Compliance Challenge

Operating in a high-stakes environment, the plant had to adhere to both internal protocols and international standards regarding chemical usage. Yet, determining whether competitive cleaners and lubricants met compliance requirements often created bottlenecks. Employees were required to cross-reference multiple documentation sources, delaying routine maintenance and inspections. In an industry where every minute counts, these small delays added up—and came with risk.

A Solution Built for Food Safety

The facility turned to LPS^® DETEX^® for a robust, traceable, and user-friendly solution. Designed specifically for use in food processing environments, these products helped address a core industry concern: the high cost of contamination-related recalls. According to Thermo Fisher Scientific,¹ the average direct cost of a food recall in the U.S. is nearly $10 million, and in extreme cases, can exceed $100 million—figures that highlight the critical need for preventive measures on the production floor. To help mitigate those risks while streamlining compliance, the facility adopted LPS^® DETEX^® solutions, which offered several unique advantages:

• Metal and X-Ray Detectable Packaging: One of the most significant safety enhancements came from the use of metal and X-ray detectable caps and actuators. This packaging innovation reduces the risk of foreign object contamination, which is one of the most common causes of product recalls in food production. If part of a product container were to enter the production line, it could be detected before reaching consumers, significantly minimizing financial and reputational damage.
• NSF Certification for Every Application: With clearly labeled NSF^® ratings (H1 for lubrication, K6 for electronic equipment cleaning, and 3H for direct food contact), all acceptable for use in processing areas where incidental food contact can be tolerated, the plant’s safety personnel could easily confirm the proper use of each chemical. This transparency sped up verification and compliance audits while reducing the potential for user error.
• Easy Access to Product Documentation: Workers gained quick access to essential documents—such as Safety Data Sheets, Technical Data Sheets, and NSF certifications—via ITW Pro Brands website. The result was reduced time spent tracking down information, with estimated labor savings of over $5,000 annually. 

Streamlining Maintenance While Elevating Safety

The LPS^® DETEX^® products used by the plant included seven key maintenance solutions:

• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade Silicone Lubricant (H1)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade Machine Oil (H1)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade Chain Lubricant (H1)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade Anti-Seize (H1)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Belt Dressing (H1)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade Electronic Cleaner (K6)
• LPS^® DETEX^® Food Grade 3H Spray Grease (3H)

These products enabled the plant to maintain machinery, prevent wear, and minimize downtime without sacrificing food safety compliance. They also gave plant managers greater confidence that their chemical inventory would pass inspection at any time, without the need for constant cross-checks. Explore the full LPS^® DETEX^® catalog for additional product information.

A Blueprint for Safer Operations

This case highlights a larger trend in food processing and packaging: the move toward integrated solutions that reduce risk while increasing operational efficiency. With the right tools in place—like detectable packaging and centralized documentation—facilities can stay ahead of regulatory demands and focus on what matters most: producing safe, high-quality products.

For over 60 years, LPS^® has built its reputation on delivering trusted solutions for critical industrial and aerospace environments. That same legacy of performance and reliability now extends into the food industry with LPS^® DETEX^®—a full line of food-grade maintenance products engineered specifically for food processing facilities.

From lubricants and greases to penetrants and electronic cleaners, LPS^® DETEX^® products are designed to keep operations running efficiently while supporting food safety compliance. These high-performance solutions help extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and lower the frequency of preventative maintenance, even while food production is in progress. The Interactive LPS^® DETEX^® Food Processing Selection Guide is another helpful resource designed to identify the right food-grade maintenance product for your application and environment. Learn more about how these solutions perform in real-world food processing environments, from reducing sugar buildup to maintenance in frozen pizza production.

In an industry where contamination risks can cost millions, innovations like LPS^® DETEX^® are more than convenience—they’re a safeguard for brand reputation and public health. 

LPS^® DETEX^® is part of ITW Pro Brands, a leader in industrial solutions trusted across the food processing, aerospace, and manufacturing industries.

References

1 Munnelly, Mike. "Contamination Risks and Costs to Your Food Processing Business." Thermo Fisher Scientific. June 9, 2021. https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/food/contamination-risks-and-costs-to-your-food-processing-business/.