Best disposable gloves for food safety

Food safety is critical for many businesses, particularly those in hospitality and manufacturing industries because even a small outbreak of foodborne illness can have serious consequences. For the highest level of food safety, your business needs the right disposable gloves. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from – vinyl, latex, nitrile, and polyethylene. 

In this article, we explore each type of food-grade glove and its key characteristics. This way, you can keep your customers safe and happy, while also streamlining your operations.

Food safety guidelines for disposable gloves

No matter which type of disposable gloves you have, the following six rules must be followed at all times:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly 

Before and after putting on gloves, you should always wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Afterwards, completely dry your hands with a paper towel. 

2. Change gloves frequently

It is good practice to change gloves between each task, especially after handling raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Remove the used pair inside out and place them in the bin. 

3. Do not reuse gloves

Disposable gloves are designed for single use so do not put them back on for a second task. If not, they can harbour bacteria and contaminate the food you prepare next.

4. Do not use damaged gloves

As soon as your gloves are torn or punctured, remove them, wash your hands, and put a fresh pair on. Holes may allow bacteria to contaminate both your hands and the food. 

5. Avoid touching your face or other surfaces

The only things that should come into contact with food are clean equipment and your gloved hands. Any contact with your hair, clothing or other surfaces could allow harmful bacteria to spread onto the food. 

6. Keep gloves clean and dry

To prevent moisture and unwanted bacteria from infecting the food, gloves should be kept clean and dry – including when stored. For best results, store them in a sealed container away from potential pollutants.

These precautions help to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from other foods or the surrounding environment. Failing to do so can cause the barrier to lose its effectiveness.

Best food-handling gloves

Each type of glove will suit different businesses, foods, and processes. Whatever food your business serves or prepares, you’ll find a suitable choice among the following options:

Vinyl 

Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl is one of the most popular disposable options for short-term, low-risk tasks. They are commonly used for food preparation and serving, cleaning, restaurants, and light industrial workplaces. However, keep in mind that vinyl gloves should be changed frequently to prevent tears and soak-through.

Pros of vinyl:

• Latex free
• Cost-effective
• Bright blue for visibility

Cons of vinyl: 

• Not resistant to chemicals
• Loose fitting
• Susceptible to punctures
• Not biodegradable

Latex gloves

Latex is often used in beauty, cosmetics, healthcare, hygiene, laboratories, medical environments, and food processing. It is extremely effective for keeping hands clean and preventing contamination.

Pros of latex: 

• Natural and biodegradable
• Strong and flexible
• Suitable for extended use
• Resistant to punctures
• Comfortable fit

Cons of latex:

• More expensive than vinyl
• Not resistant to chemicals
• Can cause allergic reactions

For workers doing the same task repeatedly, latex is a safe option. However, as soon as they begin handling another type of food, they should change their gloves to avoid cross-contamination. 

Latex allergies

Unfortunately, there is a high risk of allergic responses to latex. The natural proteins found in natural rubber latex can cause mild to severe reactions with symptoms such as skin irritation, hives, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis. People who are at high risk should use latex-free gloves, such as nitrile or vinyl alternatives.

Nitrile gloves

Nitrile butadiene rubber is a synthetic, latex-free rubber. It has similar characteristics to latex but does not contain the latex proteins people can be highly sensitive or allergic to. Nitrile is often used for food handling, cosmetics, workshops, garages, heavy industrial environments, meat processing, and animal handling. 

Pros of nitrile: 

• Latex free
• Strong and flexible
• Suitable for extended use
• Resistant to punctures
• Comfortable fit
• Resistant to strong acids, bases, and petroleum-based products
• Can be coloured for visibility

Cons of nitrile: 

• Not biodegradable
• More expensive than latex
• Less tactile

Nitrile gloves are available in different colours which increases visibility in case one is lost. For example, Primepac stocks black nitrile, blue nitrile, and bright orange nitrile. 

Polyethylene gloves

Polyethylene is a thin, flexible material commonly called PE. It is inexpensive and ideal when frequent glove changes are required, such as when making sandwiches or serving food from a deli case. 

Pros of PE:

• Latex free
• Cost-effective 
• Bright colours for visibility

Cons of PE:

• Not resistant to chemicals
• Prone to punctures
• Loose fit

Disposable gloves NZ

To keep your business stocked up and running smoothly, the team at Primepac has a wide range of disposable gloves you can rely on. We place a high emphasis on hygiene and sanitation and our products are powder free with no harmful fillers like chalk and silica. 

We know that each business has unique needs and protocols to meet, which is why we provide various options:

• Nitrile gloves
• Latex gloves
• Vinyl gloves
• PE gloves
• Rubber gloves

We also stock other work gloves, including knitted work gloves, heavy-duty gloves, and chemical-resistant gloves. However, these options are not suitable for food service.

For more advice and information about food safety and disposable products, reach out to the friendly team at Primepac. We can help you choose a suitable solution for your team, as well as other supplies for health and safety, catering, and cleaning.