STEOIL / Technical resources
Permissible Applications & Recommended Grades
Explore common mineral oil applications, typical uses and grade recommendations. Review the historical FDA reference table and contact STEOIL for application-specific guidance.
Use the searchable reference below to explore applications of food grade and technical grade mineral oils. Viscosity grades are shown as SUS at 100°F, as listed in STEOIL’s original reference tables.
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Search by industry, application, purpose or recommended grade.
Showing 33 of 33 applications
| Application | Purpose / Use | Recommended grades (SUS @ 100°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Tapes, MedicalAdhesive Tapes, Medical | Plasticizer | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350, 500) |
| Animal Feed ConcentratesAnimal Feed Concentrates | Dust control, Process Aid | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70), Technical Grade (70) |
| Animal MedicationAnimal Medication | Laxative | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350) |
| Baking IndustryBaking Industry — Release Agent | Release Agent | Food Grade Mineral Oil (200, 350, 500) |
| Baking IndustryBaking Industry — Dough Divider | Prevents Sticking | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350, 500) |
| CoatingsCoatings — Hot melt food coating | Plasticizer | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350) |
| CoatingsCoatings — Fruits and vegetables | Protective coating | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| CoatingsCoatings — Shell egg spray | Protective coating | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70), Technical Grade (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Hair preparations | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70), Technical Grade (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Ointments/Lotions | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Baby Oil | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Suntan Oil | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70), Technical Grade (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Bath Oil | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Cosmetics, DrugsCosmetics, Drugs — Drug processing | Basic ingredients | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| DefoamerDefoamer — Beet sugar manufacturing | Foam control | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70), Technical Grade (70) |
| DefoamerDefoamer — Paper for food packaging | Foam control | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Wine, Vinegar | Evaporation control | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Pickles | Evaporation control | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Peas, lima beans, etc. | Froth flotation aid | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Canning, machinery | Lubricant / Rust Prevention | Food Grade Mineral Oil, Technical Grade & Food Grade Lubricants – multiple grades |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Fish cannery | Knife lubricant | Food Grade Mineral Oil (200, 350, 500), Technical Grade 70 |
| Food ProcessingFood Processing — Meat packing | Rust prevention for trays, hooks, knives, etc. | Food Grade Mineral Oil & Technical Grade (70) |
| GrainGrain | Dust control | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 500) |
| Paper SaturatePaper Saturate — Butcher, meat & fruit wrap | Waterproof, protective barrier | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| Pelletizing AidPelletizing Aid — Drug & food products | Moisture barrier | Food Grade Mineral Oil (200, 350, 500) |
| PlasticsPlastics — Polyethylene | Pigment Dispersant | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70) |
| PlasticsPlastics — Polystyrene | Process aid | Food Grade Mineral Oil (350, 500) |
| PlasticsPlastics — Polystyrene | Mold release agent | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 350, 500) |
| PlasticsPlastics — Ethyl cellulose | Primary plasticizer | Food Grade Mineral Oil (200, 350) |
| Release agentRelease agent — Egg white solid, yeast | Process aid | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350) |
| Release agentRelease agent — Dried fruit / vegetables | Process aid | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350) |
| Release agentRelease agent — Confectionery | Process aid, polishing molding agent | Food Grade Mineral Oil (70, 200, 350) |
| Food MachineryFood Machinery — Lubricant | Lubricant | Food Grade Lubricants |
Original STEOIL terminology and grade recommendations retained. Suitability must be confirmed for the specific product and intended use.
FDA regulations & grade reference
Historical reference data reproduced from STEOIL’s existing page. A dot indicates a grade shown in the original reference matrix. These entries are not independent confirmation of current FDA authorization.
Important: FDA citations, limits and grade applicability must be reviewed by STEOIL’s technical/regulatory team before this page is published. Some formatting in the legacy table is ambiguous; confirm all matrix entries against original records and current regulations.
Showing 17 of 17 reference entries
| Use / Maximum FDA limits | FDA regulation | Food grade (SUS @ 100°F) | Technical grade | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 70 | 200 | 350 | 500 | 70 | 70 | ||
| Animal Feeds — Direct UseComponent of animal feed to reduce dusting and serve as lubricant and moisture barrier in preparation of pellets, cubes, etc. (3% supplement – 0.06% total ration) | 573.680 | ● | ● | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Human Food — Direct UseAs defoamer in food. | 173.340 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseAs release agent, binder and/or lubricant in capsules and tablets containing concentrates of flavoring, spices, condiments and nutrients intended for addition to food excluding confectionery (max 0.06%). | 172.878 | — | — | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseCapsules or tablets containing food for special dietary use (max 0.06%). | 172.878 | — | — | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseBakery products (max 0.15%). | 172.878 | — | — | ● | — | — | ● | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseDehydrated fruits and vegetables (max 0.02%). | 172.878 | ● | ● | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseEgg white solids (max 0.1%). | 172.878 | ● | ● | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseManufacturing of yeast (0.15%). | 172.878 | ● | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseManufacturing of confectionery, and as sealing and polishing agent (max 0.2%). | 172.878 | ● | ● | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseFloat to prevent or retard access of air, evaporation and/or wild yeast contamination during fermentation of wine. | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseFloat during fermentation of vinegar. | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseFloat during curing pickles (do not exceed good manufacturing process). | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseComponent of hot melt coatings for frozen meat (max 0.095% of meat). | 172.878 | — | ● | ● | ● | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseProtective coating for raw fruits and vegetables (do not exceed good manufacturing practice). | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseAnti-dusting agent in sorbic acid food use (max 0.25% in sorbic acid). | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseIn molding starch used in manufacturing confectionery (max 0.3% of starch). | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
| Human Food — Direct UseAs dust control agent for grains (max 0.02% weight of grain). | 172.878 | ● | ● | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: STEOIL legacy “Permissable Applications Table 2.” Reformatting clarifies presentation but does not replace regulatory review.