How to use disposable gloves correctly?
Nothing can replace good hygiene habits during food preparation, whether at home or in restaurants/grocery stores. Hand washing and proper use of gloves are the most important factors in reducing the risk of foodborne illness. Hand washing and wearing gloves are the most controllable and most achievable factors in ensuring food safety. The operating principles are as follows:
Hand washing
● Hand sanitizer cannot replace hand washing
● All sinks must be equipped with soap and single-person kitchen paper towels
● Train all employees to wash their hands properly and thoroughly
● Employees must remember to wash the inside of their nails
● Wash hands after handling and preparing potentially hazardous raw foods, after cleaning procedures, and before wearing disposable gloves.
● Wash hands before preparing food, after going to the toilet, changing tasks, smoking, and after any hand contamination.
● It is strictly forbidden to touch food with bare hands. Use gloves, tongs, cold-cut paper, or other appropriate utensils to pick up food.
Glove use
● Gloves must be disposable. It is strictly forbidden to reuse or wash disposable gloves.
● Wash hands before putting on gloves to avoid contaminating the outside of the gloves.
● Change gloves when they become dirty, or torn, when changing tasks, when handling fresh food to ready-to-eat food, or when leaving the work area for any reason.
● Gloves should be considered contaminated after they come into contact with door handles and work equipment.
● Follow the same principles for changing gloves and washing hands.
Remember tips
● Do not use silicone gloves
● Do not touch ready-to-eat food with bare hands
● Implement proper hand-washing techniques
● When using gloves, extreme caution must be taken to avoid a false sense of security. Improperly used gloves have a high risk of cross-contamination because workers may lose their sense of judgment and not realize that the gloves are contaminated and should be changed.
● It is more cost-effective to replace dirty gloves according to established guidelines than to treat people who become ill due to poor practices.
