Choosing Foodservice Gloves for Your Restaurant
In every commercial foodservice operation, foodservice gloves serve two important purposes: protecting food from contamination and protecting employees from discomfort or injury when completing messy tasks or using harsh cleaning agents. Kitchen managers should always ensure their staff and guests are protected by keeping different types of plastic gloves well stocked, including disposable gloves and cleaning gloves. Below, we'll go over the types of plastic gloves that are often used in foodservice operations, the materials they're made of, and their uses and benefits.
Different Types of Plastic Gloves
There are three types of plastic gloves available: food prep, dishwashing, and cleaning gloves. Choosing the right gloves for your venue depends on the purpose the gloves will serve, and many establishments require multiple types to operate safely.
Food prep gloves are used during food preparation to protect both handler and food from contamination at the hands of germs and bacteria. These disposable gloves are ideal for food preparation and serving, and are mandated by health codes prohibiting bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.Because they're disposable, they can and should be thrown away after each use to prevent cross contamination. Using disposable food prep gloves also enables you to change gloves quickly when handling various types of food. Food prep gloves are available in numerous colors, materials (including alternatives to latex, which many people are allergic to), and sizes to ensure every member of your staff is protected. These gloves are also necessary when plating food to prevent any spread of germs from the back-of-house areas to customer-facing sections.
Dishwashing gloves protect hands from damage caused by harsh cleaning chemicals. They also protect your employees' hands from hot water and any bacteria that may form on dirty dishes. Dishwashing gloves are thicker than food prep gloves, most often made of durable nitrile or latex, and extend further up the user's arm to provide extra coverage when reaching into deep, soapy water. Opting to go without gloves when washing dishes can cause dry, cracked hands and frail, unsightly nails. Dishwashing gloves are meant to be used multiple times, and are not designed for single-use application like disposable food prep gloves.
Cleaning gloves protect hands from harsh chemicals during cleaning duties. Staff members can safely take out the trash, bus tables, and wipe down surfaces without exposing their hands to harmful elements needed to properly sanitize surfaces. Many of these gloves can also be used for dishwashing and are often lined with a layer of cotton to help users put on and remove the gloves comfortably. Though cleaning gloves typically go past the wrist, there are some variations that go as high as the elbow. Like dishwashing gloves, cleaning gloves will be used again and again in the commercial kitchen, but you'll want to keep several pairs on hand for your kitchen staff.
What Materials are Plastic Gloves Made of?
Latex is made from a natural rubber, and although many people are allergic to it – some states have gone so far as banning latex gloves – latex is still used in the production of some disposable gloves. They're available in two styles: powder and powder free. Powdered latex gloves are more resistant to tearing and easier to slide onto hands. Powder-free latex typically is used in the restaurant industry so powder doesn't fall into food.
If your state doesn't ban these types of disposable gloves, they have many benefits:
- Biodegradable
- Tactile for sensitive applications
- Durable and flexible
- Ideal for dealing with water-based materials
- Elastic for a snug fit
Nitrile, a latex alternative, is made of a compound similar to latex that isn't likely to cause allergic reactions like latex can. Made from a synthetic rubber, nitrile gloves are approved by the FDA for use in the foodservice industry. Nitrile gloves are usually powder free like some latex gloves, but unlike latex, nitrile is not biodegradable. Typically considered a higher-quality material, gloves made of nitrile are also thicker than their latex counterparts.
Nitrile gloves typically cost more, but offer plenty of benefits including:
- Great for working with water and oil
- Strong and durable
- Comfortable with snug fit
- Powder free
- Excellent tear and chemical resistance
Nitrile vs. Latex Gloves
While both are available in powdered and nonpowdered forms, nitrile gloves and latex gloves are quite different. Latex is made of natural rubber, while nitrile is made from a synthetic rubber. With their chemical resistance, nitrile gloves are commonly used in the medical field or for washing dishes in back-of-house applications. Latex gloves are made for the foodservice industry, although some employees and guests may be allergic. To accommodate staff and patrons with allergies, nitrile gloves are the better option.
Other Glove Materials
With a variety of benefits, neoprene gloves are excellent for foodservice. Part of a family of synthetic gloves, neoprene gloves are less likely to elicit allergic reactions than latex gloves. These gloves can be used in high-risk situations where users may contact harsh chemicals, making them ideal for dishwashing.
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Ideal for high-risk situations
- Flexible for good handling
- Economical option
- Multipurpose
Made of a synthetic compound, polyethylene gloves – also known as poly gloves – work great as disposable gloves. Polyethylene gloves are also an efficient option, as they're latex and powder free, meaning they're safe for those with latex allergies.
- Comfortable with tactile sensitivity
- Latex and powder free
- Loose fit for quick removal
- Breathable and lightweight
- Not for use with chemicals
PVC gloves, or vinyl gloves, are made of polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl alcohol. Vinyl gloves provide protection against chemical and biological contaminants. PVC is a common replacement for latex, as it's allergen free and comes in thin and thick styles. They may also come powdered or nonpowdered, which provides the same benefits as latex gloves.
- Comfortable with tactile sensitivity
- Loose fit but tighter than poly gloves
- Should not be used with hazardous materials
- Short-term use
- Efficient
