The present application is directed at food grade grinding aid compositions comprising a) one or more polyhydric alcohols having at least two protic groups or b) one or more carboxylic acids or c) mixtures thereof. The food grade grinding aid compositions are effective when used in the grinding process of limestone or hydrated lime which are important ingredients in food products such as corn tortillas and cattle feed supplement. The grinding aids of the present application allow for a substantial reduction in the grinding time to achieve a desired particle size and also provide products with a more uniform particle size distribution compared to samples prepared without the grinding aid.
