Damaged Disposable Gloves Carry Significantly More Risk of Microbial Food Contamination Than Intact Gloves
A recent study of the microbiological profiles of disposable gloves intended for ready-to-eat (RTE) food handling found the presence of bacteria to be much higher on gloves with visible damage than intact gloves, underlining the importance of regular glove changes, especially when damaged.
The study took place in Singapore, where strict regulations and consumer perceptions have encouraged the widespread use of gloves in food handling. A total of fifty food establishments across Singapore were randomly selected for the study. Researchers swabbed the interior and exterior surfaces of disposable gloves used in the participating establishments, which were later tested.