6 Types of Powder-Free Gloves for Food Businesses

Find out if you are using the right type of gloves in your food business.

Disposable gloves are necessary and useful in many different industries to provide protection for the hands against sensitive materials. As for the food industry, staff members wear powder-free gloves because they do not leave a messy residue on hands or equipment. They also prevent the spread of germs and viruses and keep food and other consumables from getting contaminated. And because we are in the middle of a health crisis, food safety is of utter importance, making the need for disposable gloves even more necessary.

This rising awareness regarding employee and customer health and safety boosted the market growth for disposable gloves and is expected to be a 16.12 billion dollar market by 2030. However, some food businesses may think that all disposable gloves are the same. That is, of course, not the case, as there are many types of gloves sold in a food or boba supply store today, and some may not be suitable for food preparation.

To effectively prevent contamination and provide protection from foodborne illnesses, you should be able to know which type of gloves are safe to use in your food business. This article features the different types of powder-free gloves ideal to use in food businesses.

#1 Disposable Latex Gloves

Latex was the first type of material used to make disposable gloves. Disposable latex gloves are made from natural rubber latex derived from the rubber plant Hevea brasiliensis. The material is a complex mixture of proteins, oils, starches, sugars, tannins, resins, alkaloids, and gums that, when exposed to air, solidify. This type of gloves is widely used in the health and medical industries but is also used in the food industry.

The powder-free latex gloves from Karat are available in clear/white and are safe to use in food businesses.

#2 Disposable Nitrile Gloves

Disposable nitrile gloves are an excellent latex alternative in case you or your staff have a latex allergy. While they're not as elastic or flexible as their latex. Nitrile is waterproof, grease-proof, puncture-resistant, and resistant to a wide range of common chemicals and substances. Plus, nitrile gloves have the highest level of touch sensitivity due to the material's ability to mold to the wearer’s hand, making them comfortable to wear for an extended amount of time. 

The powder-free nitrile gloves from Karat come in blue or black color so punctures can easily be detected. They are safe to use in the food industry.

#3 Disposable Vinyl Gloves

Disposable gloves made of vinyl are made from PVC, a petroleum-based film. However, vinyl is less durable than nitrile and latex, so vinyl gloves are ideal for basic food service tasks like cooking, food preparation, plating, serving, and non-high-risk janitorial or cleaning tasks.

Karat’s powder-free vinyl gloves are available in clear, blue, and black and are safe to use in food businesses.

#4 Disposable Synthetic Vinyl Gloves

Disposable synthetic vinyl gloves are made from a blend of synthetic rubber and vinyl and have a feel of latex on the skin. This combination makes the gloves more elastic, flexible, and has more tensile strength. Compared to vinyl, synthetic vinyl has improved protection against harmful chemicals but is not as strong as pure nitrile gloves.

The disposable powder-free synthetic vinyl gloves from Karat are available in blue and black and are food-safe.

#5 Disposable Thermoplastic Elastomer Gloves

The disposable gloves made from thermoplastic elastomer or TPE are latex-free and flexible because they have the same elasticity as rubber. They are an ideal alternative to traditional latex, nitrile, or vinyl gloves, are skin-safe, and provide chemical resistance. However, they have a looser fit. TPE gloves are perfect for food preparation, general cleaning tasks, and handling money or unclean objects.

Karat’s powder-free thermoplastic elastomer gloves are available in transparent TPE. They are safe to use in the food industry.

#6 Disposable Poly Gloves

Finally, we have the poly gloves that are made from polyethylene that are ideal for wearing during lighter food service like food handling and preparation and cleaning tasks. These powder-free gloves have a looser fit compared to vinyl, latex, and nitrile, so removal and replacement are a breeze. Poly gloves are then perfect for busy food businesses.

The disposable powder-free poly gloves from Karat are incredibly lightweight, transparent, and are food-safe.

The takeaway

>Aside from preventing the spread of viruses, germs, and bacteria, disposable powder-free gloves also help protect your hands from burning when cutting spicy chili peppers and smelling like garlic and fish. These gloves also protect any cuts on your hands from acidic juices and keep food particles from building up under your nails.

Powder-free gloves also come in handy when it’s time for kitchen cleaning, money handling, and garbage disposal. Plus, unscrewing tight lids of jars and containers also becomes much easier when wearing gloves.

With that said, disposable gloves are a food business must-have and are worth investing in. Always get ones made from quality materials, such as the gloves featured above from Karat. 

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