Did you know that an estimated 128,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized yearly due to foodborne illnesses? This can be prevented with proper food preparation and safe food handling.
Foodborne illnesses are not to be taken lightly. Therefore, knowing when to wear and change your disposable food prep gloves is crucial. Fortunately, you can prevent spreading germs and contaminating food by properly using food handling gloves.
Without proper protective equipment, employees and customers run the risk of contamination. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protects public health and ensures nationwide food supply safety.
Gloves for handling food are certified under FDA Title 21 CFR Part 177 , which states the glove components that comply with FDA regulations. The gloves must be made of materials commonly regarded as safe for use in food or food packaging. According to this statute, these gloves must be both sanitary and impermeable.
Organizations employing food handlers should invest in high-quality gloves with antimicrobial properties to avoid the growth of bacteria. Additionally, using powder-free gloves helps prevent the powder's residue from being left on the food.
The statute also permits wearing disposable gloves in food handling to keep you in compliance with health and safety laws. Disposable cooking gloves are designed for short-term use and provide excellent protection between employees’ hands and the items they touch. Although they offer "short-term" protection, depending on their thickness and the material they're made from, they can easily withstand challenging scenarios. The materials used in many disposable gloves are regarded as safe for food handling and packaging, like other FDA-approved gloves.
