To Glove or not to Glove

The debate on the actual benefit of disposable gloves was around long before the recent COVID-19 hit the shores of the United Kingdom.

The usual blue latex (or latex free) gloves used within food and drink establishments are great for one off handling such as emptying refuse bins and carcase inspection, the issue lies when gloves become a substitute for washing hands.

I see it time and time again, a food operative working behind a deli for example, will begin serving a customer wearing a pair of disposable gloves. This subliminal message delivers straight to the customer that the operative is trained in food handling and takes the consumers safety seriously. The transaction is completed and the customer moves on to the next area with a positive impression, however I have watched that same operative collect trolleys, re stock shelves, empty the bin and clean the counter glass all the while wearing the same pair of gloves.

It appears we have lost touch of the big question of ‘why’ we do things and are merely satisfying the cultural habit of we see a pair of gloves so they must be clean with an almost clinical perception.

Although disposable gloves have their place within the industry I believe we must directly challenge the use of gloves as a substitute for washing hands correctly if we are to ensure as FBO’s the safe manufacture and sale of consumable items.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the severe lack of awareness for hand washing with “how to wash your hands correctly” reaching the top 20 searches on Google, I think this is frightening.

It is my hope that the current hand washing fanaticism does not fade as the fear of Coronavirus diminishes and people return to old routines. A colleague told me previously

“ I was washing my hands long before it became a trend”