When should gloves be used in food handling?

Using gloves in food handling is essential for maintaining food safety, especially when dealing with ready-to-eat foods or foods that cannot be cooked before serving. These items are particularly susceptible to contamination because they are consumed without any further cooking.

Wearing gloves while handling these foods helps to minimize the risk of foodborne illness by providing a barrier between your hands and the food. This is particularly important since even clean-looking hands can carry bacteria and viruses that can lead to illness.

It’s also vital to note that while gloves are an important protective measure, they must be used correctly and changed frequently to be effective. Gloves should be changed when switching tasks, such as moving from handling raw foods to ready-to-eat foods, or if they become damaged or soiled. This practice helps ensure the highest level of food safety.

In contrast, using gloves solely during certain tasks, such as preparing raw meat or washing dishes, does not cover the broader requirements and responsibilities that come with food handling, which includes ready-to-eat foods that must be handled with care to prevent contamination.