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Why Are Disposable Gloves Used In The Foodservice Industry?

Sep 1st 2016

If you work in the foodservice or restaurant industry, there’s a good chance you’ve had to wear a pair of disposable gloves when handling and preparing food. While you may not understand why wearing disposable gloves is necessary when handling food, the experts at  NitrileGloves.com are here to help! We’ve assisted hundreds of restaurants and foodservice companies in finding the best disposable gloves for their environment. In this blog, we’ll discuss why disposable gloves are a necessity in the foodservice industry and how you can go about choosing the best gloves for your restaurant and employees.

Food Handling Gloves For Restaurants

The leading causes of foodborne illnesses are due to the improper handling of food and the poor personal hygiene of food handlers. In order for your disposable gloves to provide an effective barrier, your hands should be thoroughly washed before putting on or changing gloves. When restaurant and foodservice professionals wear disposable gloves, there is a safety barrier between their hands the food they are working with. In addition to improving food safety procedure, disposable gloves can also create positive customer perceptions about your restaurant and overall cleanliness. Food handling gloves should not be worn, however, during any of these restaurant applications:

  • Taking out the garbage 
  • Eating or drinking 
  • Performing cleaning tasks
  • Handling money
  • Going to the bathroom

Restaurant Disposable Glove Considerations

Choosing the best disposable gloves for your restaurant can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. At NitrileGloves.com, we’ve helped hundreds of foodservice professionals find the best disposable gloves for their applications. While you may be considering going the cheapest route for your disposable gloves, there are several other things to consider before making your final purchase decision.

Proper Fit - For the safety of your food handlers and kitchen employees, purchasing properly fitted gloves is essential. At NitrileGloves.com, we offer a variety of sizes in our disposable gloves, from six millimeters to eleven millimeters, and can work with you to determine the best disposable glove size for your restaurant. 

Best Material - Before you purchase just any disposable glove for your industry, make sure you understand the pros and cons of each glove material. While a latex glove may sound like a viable option for your food handlers, nitrile gloves are much better suited for tasks such as slicing and chopping. Our StarMed® PLUS Nitrile Exam Glove is latex-free and powder-free, with a textured pattern for extra gripability and is a favorite among our restaurant customers. 

Allergens - When you work in the foodservice industry, it’s important to be aware of common allergens and chemical sensitivities among your coworkers. If you have employees who are worried about latex sensitization, offer them a pair of nitrile gloves instead. These gloves are extremely durable and tear resistant, not to mention they’re safe for people with latex allergies. Our XCEED® Gloves offer a soft and comfortable wear, providing up to sixty-percent more strength than the leading latex gloves.

Foodservice Glove Materials

When it comes to choosing the best type of disposable glove for your restaurant, there are several materials to consider. At NitrileGloves.com we offer a large selection of nitrile gloves, latex gloves, vinyl gloves and neoprene gloves suitable for every industry.

Nitrile Gloves - Nitrile gloves are three times more resistant to punctures than latex and can tolerate significantly higher temperatures. A great alternative for people with latex allergies, disposable nitrile gloves are very resistant to oils, fats and chemicals, making them an excellent option for anyone in the foodservice industry. Our StarMed® PLUS Nitrile Exam Gloves are latex-free and powder-free, offering a natural fit to anyone who uses them.

Latex Gloves - Latex is a biodegradable material that offers an extremely elastic and resilient material for disposable gloves. These gloves can provide protection from various chemicals and bodily fluids, making them a great solution for the medical and dental industry. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that latex gloves can create allergic reactions among many people.

Vinyl Gloves - A synthetic, non-biodegradable material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl gloves tend to have a longer shelf-life than latex gloves. A drawback to vinyl gloves is that they offer very little protection from hazardous chemicals and microorganisms. Neoprene Gloves - Neoprene gloves provide superb water and chemical resistance to acids, alcohols, oils and inks. If you work in the automotive industry or tattoo industry, neoprene gloves can provide excellent flexibility and protection.

NitrileGloves.com is proud to be a leader of disposable glove supply and distribution online. If you're unsure of the type of disposable gloves to use for your specific industry, contact our experts today. We’ll help you choose the best material, size and color of disposable gloves for you, as well as educate you on the benefits of our disposable many glove types.