Μaintaining a safe environment in the food industry is very critical. Noone wants their business to become associated with the spread of foodborne illnesses. However, cleaning only is not enough, as the people working there need to be educated on proper hygiene practices, especially on the correct use of disposable gloves that will ensure hand hygiene.
First of all, hand washing thoroughly is very important, so as to remove any germs that can be transfered to the body or the food being prepared. But in a restaurant environment, washing your hands is not enough to keep all of the germs away. Also, during a shift it's not practical to wash your hands every five minutes, especially on a busy day.
This is where disposable gloves can help, they are easy to use and can be worn quickly. No health professional would perform a medical exam without wearing gloves, and the same goes for a food industry employee when handling food. Gloves act like a barrier that keeps germs on the hands from spreading to the food, making them essential for preventing food poisoning.
Additionally, gloves also protect your hands from hot and spicy foods and prevent acidic juices from irritating your sensitive skin. They also prevent the skin from absorbing strong food odours such as garlic and fish and keep your nails in good condition too. Gloves also make it easier to get rid of food leftovers without getting messy.
Did you know, that by wearing gloves in the kitchen you can prevent skin dehydration, especially when washing dishes or wiping counters with cleaning products? In addition, gloves protect workers from getting germs when taking out the trash or handle money.
As you see, disposable gloves offer a number of advantages to your food handling business. Below you can see some things you need to look for when buying gloves for your stuff.
Considerations When Buying Disposable Gloves
First of all, there are different types of materials. Latex ones are the most widely used in the food industry. They are a 100% natural product made of rubber. So, if you’re wondering how to dispose of latex gloves in a way that’s least harmful for the environment, that would be by composting. As opposed to other disposable gloves which are synthetic and non-degradable, gloves made of latex are the most ecological option. They are also comfortable, fit well and are durable against hight temperatures and chemicals.
There are two types of latex gloves, powdered and non powdered. The inside of powdered gloves is covered in a thin layer of cornstarch. This makes them easier to put on and off when working in a busy environment that requires efficiency. They also offer better grip when working with knives or handling slippery good such as raw meat and fish. However, some people don't like the powder on their skin and prefer the non powdered ones.
Vinyl gloves are a synthetic alternative for latex and next in popularity. They are less expensive and a provide a solution for food handlers that are allergic to latex. However, they offer a looser fit which may reduce grip when working with them. These gloves are also available as powdered and powdered-free.
You can also choose HDPE gloves, which are the cheapest option and can be used for tasks that don’t require a good fit, such as taking out the garbage and cleaning.
Whether you go for latex, vinyl or HDPE gloves, buying in bulk is a smart option, because your food business is likely to be using a lot of them within a week. By buying in bulk you will save yourself time and money, therefore resulting in business cost reducing.
You also have the option to purchase separate types of gloves in different colours as a practical system for preventing cross-contamination. For example, you could use one colour for handling raw food, another for vegetables and a thrird colour for garbage and cleaning.
