U. S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration
2001 Food Code
3-304.15 Gloves, Use Limitation.
Refer to the public health reason for § 3-304.11.
Gloves used in touching ready-to-eat food are defined as
a "utensil" and must meet the applicable requirements
related to utensil construction, good repair, cleaning,
and storage.
Multiuse gloves, especially when used repeatedly and soiled,
can become breeding grounds for pathogens that could be
transferred to food. Soiled gloves can directly contaminate
food if stored with ready-to-eat food or may indirectly
contaminate food if stored with articles that will be used
in contact with food. Multiuse gloves must be washed, rinsed,
and sanitized between activities that contaminate the gloves.
Hands must be washed before donning gloves. Gloves must
be discarded when soil or other contaminants enter the inside
of the glove.
Slash-resistant gloves are not easily cleaned and sanitized.
Their use with ready-to-eat foods could contaminate the
food.
Natural Latex Rubber (NRL) Gloves
Natural rubber latex gloves have been reported to cause
allergic reactions in some individuals who wear latex gloves
during food preparation, and even in individuals eating
food prepared by food employees wearing latex gloves (refer
to Annex 2, 3-304.15). This information should be taken
into consideration when deciding whether single-use gloves
made of latex will be used during food preparation.
Although many allergic reactions occur as a result of occupational
exposure, CFSAN is actively reviewing its current policy
on the use of disposable NLR gloves in food operations in
light of the possible transmission of the latex protein
via food. To gain additional information regarding allergic
reactions allegedly due to the ingestion of food contaminated
by NRL in retail settings, CFSAN has been collecting reports
of such reactions from consumers who have contacted the
Agency. Several offices within CFSAN will continue to collaborate
in reviewing incoming data. The results of these activities
and other related efforts will be used to determine if policy
changes regarding the use of latex in food operations, based
on food safety considerations, are warranted.
The FDA, Office of Premarket Approval, Indirect Additives,
reviews gloves submitted for food-contact use in the food
industry on the basis of the glove's formulation or components.
FDA regulates NRL gloves used for medical purposes only.
FDA is aware of the following information related to occupational
hazards (not food safety hazards) associated with the use
of NRL gloves:
∑ The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) published a 1997 Alert titled "Preventing
Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace"
(NIOSH publication number 97-135) which is found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html.
∑ The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
(ACAAI) and the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
(AAAAI) issued a joint statement discouraging the routine
use of NRL gloves by food handlers. (1997) http://allergy.mcg.edu/physicians/joint.html
The AAAAI provides information on latex allergies on the
web at http://www.aaaai.org/public/fastfacts/latex.stm
The ACAAI provides information on latex allergies on the
web at http://allergy.mcg.edu/physicians/ltxhome.html
∑ An OSHA Technical Information Bulletin recommends
reducing allergy potential by reducing unnecessary exposure
to NRL. Stating "Food service workers ... do not need
to use NRL gloves for food handling..." (1999) http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/hotfoias/tib/TIB19990412.html
OSHA addresses gloves in the following federal regulation,
which can be found at
http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/1910_0138.html:
OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Standard Number: 1910.138
Standard Title: Hand Protection.
SubPart Number: I
SubPart Title: Personal Protective Equipment
(a) General requirements. Employers shall select and require
employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees'
hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption
of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe
abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and
harmful temperature extremes.
(b) Selection. Employers shall base the selection of the
appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance
characteristics of the hand protection relative to the task(s)
to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and
the hazards and potential hazards identified.
For further information on the OSHA requirements, see [59
FR 16362, April 6, 1994|.
