Nitrile gloves are among the safest and most convenient disposable gloves for food handling. Owing to their numerous advantages over common alternatives like latex gloves, nitrile gloves are becoming an increasingly popular choice. They're ideal for use in industrial, commercial and home kitchens, where they prevent food contamination and the spread of foodborne diseases.
They also protect employee's skin from cuts, burns and abrasions, ensuring your kitchen is safe for all. This guide explores how safe nitrile gloves are for the food handling industry.
Nitrile gloves are disposable gloves made from a synthetic, latex-free rubber — nitrile butadiene rubber. They share some characteristics with latex, like elasticity and strength, without the harmful latex proteins that many people are sensitive or allergic to. The lack of latex proteins in nitrile gloves makes them ideal for food preparation applications. They're also available in different colors, including black and blue.
Nitrile gloves are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code, which requires personnel to use gloves and utensils that are safe for use in food and packaging. Under the FDA's Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, the gloves must also be impermeable and sanitary. They also need to be additive-free and adhere to rigorous testing standards.
Food-grade nitrile gloves are available in various colors, cuff lengths and designs. One of the best types is exam-grade nitrile gloves, which are resilient, offer excellent puncture resistance and are suitable for industrial applications. You must also be keen to choose powder-free gloves to prevent the spread of powder and food contamination. Powder-free nitrile gloves may be less formfitting, but they're easy to put on and remove.
There are many benefits of nitrile gloves that make them excellent for food preparation. Some of the top advantages of nitrile gloves in the food handling and preparation industries include:
While nitrile gloves are great for food production applications, they have limitations. One of the main limitations of nitrile gloves is that they are not resistant to chemicals like acetone, ethanol, methanol and oil-based substances. They also have a lower resistance to heat compared to materials like silicone and neoprene.
The following guidelines minimize the risk of contamination during food preparation:
Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about using nitrile gloves for food handling and preparation.
Nitrile gloves are safe for people with sensitive skin or who are prone to skin allergies or irritation. They're nonallergenic and nonirritating, making them safe for people with latex sensitivities.
Yes. All nitrile gloves are food-safe because they don't include contaminants like latex proteins. They're also puncture-resistant, which reduces the risk of contamination with allergens and bacteria on food handlers' hands. Nitrile gloves also protect handlers from food ingredients that may irritate their hands, such as hot peppers.
Yes. Black nitrile gloves are commonly used in commercial kitchens. They meet the high hygiene and safety standards of commercial food handling and preparation. They also add an element of professionalism and sophistication to kitchens and effectively hide stains better than blue or white gloves.
Yes. Blue nitrile gloves are food-safe and ideal for large- and small-scale kitchen applications. They're often preferred for the kitchen because their bright color makes it easy to spot tears before food can become contaminated. Like other nitrile gloves, blue nitrile gloves also adhere to the FDA regulations for food contact.
Yes. Nirtile exam gloves are food-safe because they meet the specific standards and requirements for FDA approval. They offer great barrier protection and dexterity with sufficient grip protection.
Food-safe nitrile gloves are a necessity in restaurant kitchens and food manufacturing plants, and many home chefs use them, too. Purchasing nitrile gloves in bulk saves money and ensures your kitchen remains safe longer. Gloves America is a leading nitrile glove manufacturer, and we produce gloves in many designs, colors, styles and cuff lengths. We maintain a large inventory to facilitate bulk purchases of chemical-resistant, latex-free and puncture-resistant nitrile gloves.
Contact us today if you have any questions, or order your first batch of food-safe nitrile gloves today.
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