How to Use Polyethylene Gloves: The Truth About Food Safety

Published on 2022/12/30

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Whether your job requires constant manual labor or you simply want to protect your hands from the elements, you’ll need some type of protective clothing. Luckily, just about any material can be used as an alternative to leather in gloves. One example is polyethylene, commonly known as PE. Polyethylene (PE) gloves are ideal for handling certain foods because they offer excellent protection against contamination. However, many people aren’t familiar with their benefits. Therefore, we’ll answer common questions about these protective gloves and their usage principles.

What is Polyethylene?

Polyethylene is a durable plastic that’s used for a variety of applications. It’s commonly used for huge commercial food storage containers, garbage bags, disposable tableware, and food wraps. PE gloves are suitable for handling foods that would otherwise be affected by the glove. For example, you wouldn’t want to use disposable PE glove for handling fresh produce. PE is a synthetic material that’s not made from natural materials. As such, it’s a bit more durable compared to natural leather products. Unlike leather products, which are porous and absorb smells and flavor, PE is completely non-porous. This means you won’t absorb food odors or flavors that could potentially create a dangerous cross-contact between the glove and your food.

Why Use Polyethylene Gloves?

PE gloves are generally latex-free and environmentally friendly. They’re also a convenient alternative to natural leather gloves. PE gloves are most suitable for handling foods that are deemed safe for handling with latex gloves. Certain foods can be safely handled using PE gloves. These include: - Ready-to-eat (RTE) meals - Frozen foods - Dry foods - Bulk ingredients - Soft-shelled fruits, like avocados and papayas - Sushi - Corndogs - Crackers - Canned beverages - Acidic foods, like tomatoes and pickles - Sour foods, like yogurt and grapefruit - Fresh seafood, like salmon, sardines, and tuna.

Polyethylene Gloves Safety Measures

When using PE gloves, it’s important to follow some safety measures. First, wash your hands before handling food. Second, wear a food-grade apron. Third, use a clean pair of gloves for each new food item. Fourth, use single-use gloves whenever possible. Fifth, thoroughly wash your gloves when you’re done. You can do this by placing gloves in a bowl of water and scrubbing them with a brush. Sixth, store clean gloves in a dry, food-grade container. If you’re in the grocery store and you notice a sick person wearing PE gloves, don’t touch the food. Instead, inform a member of the store’s staff.

How to Wear PE Gloves

PE gloves are most commonly worn with a clean, dry pair of hands. For example, if you’re handling food and don’t want to contaminate your gloves, you could wear a clean pair of gloves. If you do this, be sure not to touch any of the food that you’re preparing or serving. When wearing polyethylene gloves, make sure your hands are clean and dry. Next, put your gloves on, finger-side first, with your fingers inside. Then, put them finger-side down on a clean, flat surface. Your gloves should fit snugly. If they’re too big, they’ll allow contamination to enter your hands. If they’re too small, you may pinch your fingers.

Conclusion

Polyethylene gloves have many advantages over natural leather gloves. They’re more environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and don’t absorb odors or flavor. Additionally, PE gloves have excellent food safety capabilities. If you handle foods that require latex gloves, you may want to consider them. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and durable. Finally, they’re easy to clean and store.