In the food service market, price can be an outsized factor for single-use gloves. With a lot of eateries operating on razor-thin margins, operators often must be frugal.
At the same time, safety and hygiene are paramount when working with food. That makes disposable gloves much more than simple accessories—they are vital tools in preventing contamination and ensuring the safety of both staff and customers (and, ultimately, the business).
Of course, disposable gloves are only part of the equation. Just as important is proper handwashing, too often overlooked in food service despite near-constant reminders by proprietors that employees should frequently wash hands, particularly between tasks.
Sometimes you need a little more
Frugality has long limited many establishments to vinyl or poly gloves for food prep and cleanup (dishwashing gloves notwithstanding). While they are fine for short-term tasks that require frequent glove changes, they don’t offer much in terms of barrier protection (or, for that matter, comfort).
That said, vinyl gloves—like X3 Clear Vinyl—are a perfectly acceptable choice for food service. Exceptionally popular from food trucks to five-star restaurants, they have been an industry stalwart for decades.
But there are better choices that deliver stronger barrier protection, more resistance to punctures, rips, and tears, and best of all, a much higher degree of comfort for food service workers (which makes them more likely to be worn).
The right gloves for food
Both X3 Black Nitrile and Blue Nitrile are 3 mils thick and perfectly suited for countless tasks in the food service environment, from general kitchen use to food prep to bussing to cleanup. If you’d like something a bit thicker, 5-mil Gloveworks Black Nitrile and Blue Nitrileare excellent solutions for even more scenarios, especially when breaking down and cleaning kitchen equipment.
Another option for heavier tasks is Gloveworks Nitrile with Raised Diamond Texture, in orange, green, black, or royal blue, perfect for cutting meat or scrubbing the grill.
The importance of wearing gloves in food service is greater than ever. The coronavirus may no longer be in our daily consciousness, but the habits that should have been formed during its prominence still apply. Wash hands and change disposable gloves between each task. Keep food prep areas as clean as possible.
Does your glove vendor work for you?
There is, of course, more to gloves than just price. If your customers are already buying another brand, is the customer service top-notch, with sales and product specialists always ready to answer questions? How about fill rates: Can you always get the gloves they need when they need them? Do they go through 100% inspections at the factory level?
