Choosing The Correct Glove For Your Food Safety Plan

30 Sep.,2024

 

Choosing The Correct Glove For Your Food Safety Plan

Disposable gloves can help prevent the spread of contamination, when good gloves are used correctly. Otherwise, gloves can provide a false sense of security and actually increase cross-contamination. Find out what gloves work best for your  Food Safety plan. 

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The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the vital role of hand hygiene and glove management in food safety plans. It highlights the need to incorporate these practices for safety and well-being.

This video will show you how to add a strict glove selection process to your food safety plan post-pandemic. As we know, hand hygiene is vital for both food safety and stopping the spread of contamination. 

Our partners at Meritech are hand hygiene experts, and they have a lot of information at meritech.com about the correct way to wash and sanitize your hands.

Gloves & Contamination

One might question, "If I'm already washing my hands, why bother with gloves?" However, it's important to note that wearing dirty gloves over clean hands can reverse the efforts of hand hygiene altogether. Moreover, low-quality gloves can worsen the situation and elevate contamination rates.

 &#;The CDC found that 16% of foodborne illnesses were attributed to disposable gloves&#;

Precautions need to be taken to handle food with clean, gloved hands. 

Gloves Increasing Contamination

Companies should stop purchasing vinyl gloves to improve food and worker safety drastically. 

Here are three main reasons why:

  1. Vinyl gloves have shown failure rates that can be as high as 50%, which is at least ten times higher than the average rate of nitrile gloves.

  2. Viruses and bacteria can pass through vinyl glove microtears within minutes of use.

  3. Viruses and bacteria are more easily picked up and spread by vinyl glove surfaces than nitrile gloves.

Gloves used in the food industry are often called "food-grade gloves," but their meaning may differ from what you expect. Manufacturers send a list of ingredients that need approval as safe materials for food contact, and these ingredients are then used to produce the gloves.

It is assumed that only the list of ingredients is used to manufacture the gloves, but no one tests or checks the raw materials. Additionally, there needs to be verification regarding the cleanliness of the factory or whether the gloves were washed with clean water during production.

Food-grade gloves also don&#;t have any AQL guidelines or the Acceptable Quality Level for the maximum number of pinhole defects per box. In the worst-case scenario, cheaply made food-grade gloves could be dirty, contain harmful chemicals, and be full of tiny holes right out of the box. 

Gloves & Food Safety Plans

It is important to understand why it is vital to specify the appropriate and specific glove that should be used within your food safety plan. We recommend using high-quality nitrile gloves to handle food. Not only are they highly durable, but they also offer the best protection by creating an effective barrier against cross-contamination.

An exception to this rule applies to brief food contact (one to two minutes maximum), such as when preparing a sandwich. Polyethylene gloves are the recommended choice. 

Latex gloves should not be used for handling food due to potential allergies caused by a protein on the glove's surface.  

Specifying Food-Safe Gloves

High-quality nitrile gloves are made with superior ingredients in clean factories with good manufacturing practices, but this can be difficult to know from a consumer's perspective.

We recommend sourcing from a supplier with programs that minimize this risk. For example, upon the arrival of our gloves, a meticulous proprietary Delta Zero glove analysis is executed to ensure their cleanliness, are composed of premium ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals.

For more are latex gloves food safeinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

 

Choosing the Right Food Service Gloves

In the food industry, food service gloves are mandatory for maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination. After all, the correct type of glove can help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and other contaminants, and that&#;s why food workers must always wear gloves when handling food. 

That being said, choosing the right type of food service glove can be a challenging task, as there are many different factors to take into account. In this guide, we&#;ll take a deep dive into the world of food service gloves, exploring the different types available, factors to consider when choosing the right glove type, and its proper use and care. 

Here is what you&#;re about to read:

  1. What Kind Of Gloves Are Used In Food Service?
  2. Food Service Gloves: Practical Buying Guide
  3. Your FAQ On Food Service Gloves
In the food industry, food service gloves are mandatory for maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination.

What Kind Of Gloves Are Used In Food Service?


There are three main types of food service gloves: latex, nitrile, and vinyl.

Latex gloves are made from natural rubber and are known for their comfort and flexibility. They provide a high degree of tactile sensitivity, which makes them ideal for tasks that require precise movements, such as food preparation. However, latex gloves can cause allergies in some people, making them unsuitable for use in certain environments.

Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber that is more resistant to punctures and tears than latex gloves. They offer a higher level of protection against certain types of chemicals and are generally a good option for heavy-duty tasks. Nitrile gloves are also less likely to cause allergies and can be used in environments where latex gloves are not suitable.


Vinyl gloves are made from a synthetic material and are the most affordable option. They are comfortable to wear and offer a good level of protection against contaminants. However, they are also the least durable of the three types and are not suitable for use in heavy-duty tasks. You can read more about vinyl gloves in our blog post: Vinyl gloves: the affordable solution for industrial safety.





Food Service Gloves: Practical Buying Guide

To choose the appropriate food service gloves for your settings and use cases, you should start by taking into account the particular tasks and situations in which they will be utilized. Depending on the intended use, some gloves may be more suitable than others and provide different levels of safeguarding.

Latex gloves are known for their comfort and flexibility, making them a good choice for tasks that require a high level of dexterity, such as food preparation and service. However, some workers may have latex allergies, so it&#;s important to consider this when selecting gloves for your staff. It&#;s also important to note that latex gloves are not recommended for tasks that involve handling fatty foods, as the fats can break down the material.

Nitrile gloves, on the other hand, are more resistant to punctures and tears than latex gloves, making them a good option for heavier tasks that require extra protection. They are also a better choice for tasks that involve handling certain chemicals or other hazardous materials. Nitrile gloves are also typically quite resistant to light punctures and tears, which makes them a good choice for handling raw meats and fatty foods. They are also available in different thicknesses to suit the task at hand. 

However, always make sure to select the right level of cut protection to safeguard your workers&#; hands against cuts and lacerations. You can read more about how to choose the best cut-protection gloves in our article: How To Choose Cut-Resistant Gloves &#; A Buyer&#;s Guide

Vinyl gloves are the most affordable option, but they are also the least durable. They are a good choice for tasks that don&#;t require a high level of protection, such as handling dry or non-greasy foods. Nonetheless, they are not recommended for tasks that involve handling fatty foods or chemicals.

In addition to the type of gloves, it&#;s important to consider their thickness and texture. Thicker gloves offer better protection against contaminants, while gloves with texture provide added grip and control. When dealing with customers or handling ready-to-eat food, it&#;s important to choose gloves that are food-safe and comply with food safety regulations. Read more on how to choose the right PPE for your specific use case in our blog post: Keeping Workers Safe: how to select the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Heat-resistant gloves are necessary when handling hot items, such as pots and pans. These gloves are designed to withstand different degrees of high temperatures and are typically made of materials such as silicone or neoprene. Some cooking heat-resistant gloves are also designed to provide added grip, making it easier to handle slippery items.


Last but not least, it&#;s important to choose gloves that fit properly to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Gloves that are too small can be uncomfortable and restrict movement, while gloves that are too large can be cumbersome and difficult to work with. The correct size of food service gloves will provide the necessary protection without compromising the worker&#;s ability to do their job effectively. You can read more about choosing the right glove size in our previous article: How To Choose The Right Work Glove Size.

Your FAQ On Food Service Gloves

Here are all your most frequently asked questions on food service gloves: 

  1. What are the different types of food service gloves? There are three main types: latex, nitrile, and vinyl.

  2. What glove size should I use? To determine the correct glove size, measure the width of your palm at its widest point and consult a glove size chart. You can find out more in our previous article: How To Choose The Right Work Glove Size.

  3. How do I properly dispose of used gloves? Used gloves should be discarded in a closed receptacle to prevent contamination in your restaurant or food processing plant.

  4. How do I ensure gloves are not causing cross-contamination? Change gloves frequently, especially when switching between handling different types of food. Avoid touching surfaces that are not related to the task at hand.

  5. What are food-grade gloves? Food-grade gloves are gloves that are designed to be used in the food service industry to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safety of consumers. They are often made of materials that are resistant to punctures and tears and comply with food safety regulations.
  1. What are disposable gloves? Disposable gloves are gloves that are designed to be used once and then discarded. They are often used in the food service industry to prevent cross-contamination.

  2. What are protective gloves? Protective gloves are gloves that are designed to protect the wearer from potential hazards, such as chemicals, bacteria, or cuts and punctures.

  3. What are kitchen gloves? Kitchen gloves are gloves that are designed specifically for use in the kitchen. They are often made of heat-resistant materials to protect the wearer from burns and are designed to provide a secure grip when handling hot or slippery items.

Conclusion

In restaurant kitchens and food manufacturing plants, using food service gloves is a must for hygiene and safety. The gloves, tailored to specific tasks, along with strict adherence to usage and care guidelines, will help you prevent contamination and ensure the well-being of your workers.

At Droppe, we understand the importance of hand protection in professional settings, and that&#;s why we offer a wide selection of food service gloves from trusted European suppliers.

Take a look at our comprehensive catalogue of food service gloves from Europe&#;s most trusted manufacturers, or get in touch with our experts for a free consultation.

The company is the world’s best foam nitrile gloves wholesale supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.