Catering gloves: use and choice of material

Choosing the best catering gloves for cutting food, cooking or cleaning has never been easier

In catering, gloves have two very important uses. To protect food from contamination and protect employees from discomfort or injury when performing messy tasks or using cleaning agents that may cause injury to unprotected hands. The kitchen manager must always ensure that his employees and guests are protected by having an adequate supply of disposable gloves. Disposable gloves are ideal for preparing and serving food, which is required by health standards that prohibit bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. They can be made from many materials, including alternatives to latex, to which many people are allergic.

Curious about the differences between nitrile, latex and vinyl gloves? We have prepared a blog for you with the main differences and reasons why to choose one or the other.

What types of disposable gloves are available?

At Pharsol Protect we have two types of disposable gloves. Food preparation gloves and dishwashing gloves.

Catering gloves for food preparation

Gloves used in food preparation firstly protect the persons handling the food and secondly the food from contamination by microbes and bacteria. Because they are single-use, simply throw them away after each use to reduce the spread of bacteria such as salmonella and cross-contamination. Using disposable gloves allows you to quickly change gloves when working with different types of food. Food preparation gloves are available in many colors, materials and sizes so you can get the right one to fit your employees. Gloves for food preparation are also necessary when distributing food, as they prevent any spread of germs from the kitchen to the areas where the customers are.

Catering gloves suitable for washing dishes

Similar to food preparation gloves, dishwashing gloves protect the wearer's hands from damage caused by harsh cleaning chemicals, oils and grease. They also protect your employees' hands from hot water. Dishwashing gloves prevent bacteria that can form on dirty dishes from getting on the hands of the dishwasher. Dishwashing gloves are usually thicker than food preparation gloves. They are longer, reaching up to the elbow or even longer than cooking gloves, as you may have to dig into deep soapy water to find used dishes. Deciding not to use gloves when washing dishes can lead to dry and cracked skin and brittle and brittle nails.

What materials are disposable gloves made of?

Latex gloves

Latex gloves are made from natural rubber and although many people are allergic to it due to many cases it is even banned in some countries, latex is still used in making disposable gloves. These are available in two forms: with or without powder. Gloves made of powdered latex are more resistant to tearing and are easier to put on the hands. In the catering industry, latex without powder is usually used, as it does not fall into the food during use.

Latex gloves offer many advantages such as:

Nitrile gloves

Nitrile gloves are an alternative to latex gloves, made from a latex-like compound, but are very unlikely to cause allergies like latex would. Nitrile gloves made of synthetic rubber are health and hygiene approved for use in the catering industry. Nitrile gloves in black are very popular.

Nitrile gloves offer many advantages, such as:

Latex gloves vs. Nitrile gloves

While both are available with or without powder, nitrile gloves and latex gloves are quite different from each other. Latex is a natural rubber material, while nitrile is an unnatural synthetic rubber material. Due to its chemical resistance, nitrile gloves are usually used in medicine or for washing dishes around the house. Latex gloves are made for the hospitality industry, although some employees and guests may be allergic to latex. Nitrile gloves are a better option for staff and visitors with allergies.

Neoprene gloves

Neoprene gloves are great for food service with various advantages. Neoprene gloves, which are part of the synthetic glove family, are less likely to cause allergic reactions than latex gloves. They are fairly inexpensive and have many uses, such as in high-risk situations where there may be contact with strong chemicals, making them ideal for dishwashers.

Vinyl gloves

Vinyl gloves made of polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl alcohol provide protection against chemical and biological influences. Vinyl is usually an alternative to latex as it is allergen free and can be available in thin and thick forms. They can be powdered or unpowdered, providing the same benefits as powdered and unpowdered latex gloves. Vinyl gloves are also looser than nitrile, which is ideal for quick removal while preventing cross-contamination.

Vinyl gloves offer many advantages for the hospitality and food industry, such as:

• Comfortable, flexible and very tactile
• Loose fit but tighter than polyethylene gloves
• They must not be used with hazardous substances
• Short-term use

Polyethylene gloves

Polyethylene gloves are made from a synthetic polyethylene compound and perform well as disposable gloves. They are recognizable by their transparent, translucent color and are the simplest of the above as single-use bags, most often seen at gas stations for refueling. They are also affordable disposable gloves in the hospitality industry. The polyethylene gloves are latex and powder free, making them safe to use for anyone with a latex allergy.

Polyethylene gloves, also called poly gloves, have many advantages and they are:

• Comfortable and very sensitive to the touch
• Latex and powder free for anyone with allergies
• Loose fit for quick removal
• Very light
• They are not made for use with chemicals

See our full range of gloves for work in the catering industry.