Is California Banning Latex Glove Use?

In recent months, California has added itself to the growing list of states who are passing legislation to ban the use of latex utensils, including latex gloves, in the food service industry. The reason for passing this type of legislation is to avoid the symptoms and reactions of latex allergies. With repeated exposure to latex, individuals suffering from the allergy experience worse or more intense reactions.
 
There are many reactions to latex allergies, including hives, itching, swelling, respiratory failure, flushing, rashes, asthma symptoms, severe gastrointestinal issues, airway swelling, confusion, anaphylactic shock, and even death.
 
Since there is no cure for a latex allergy, the best mode of operation is to avoid latex all together. This will help thousands of people dine in restaurants with freedom, not having to worry if employees are using latex gloves or other latex utensils. It is particularly important for this legislation to be passed in the food service industry because it is so easy for latex proteins to be passed from utensils and gloves straight to the food, which is the ingested directly by the consumer who may suffer from a latex allergy. Latex particles can also become airborne, contaminating the kitchen and prep areas. This new law will protect restaurant patrons as well as food service employees.
 
The good news is that there is an excellent substitute for latex gloves, which many people actually prefer to latex anyway. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber material used to make disposable gloves that can be used safely in the food service industry. Nitrile is actually stronger than latex, meaning it has a higher resistance to punctures and tears. It is also inherently resistant to many common chemicals that are used in the food service industry.
 
Here are a couple of our top recommendations for nitrile gloves. For a look at our full inventory, click here!
 
GlovePlus Black Nitrile Gloves are incredible because they are constructed to be slightly thicker than most nitrile gloves, adding extra protection. They also feature a textured surface on the palm and fingers, which offers superb gripping in both wet and dry conditions. These gloves are also powder free, which is perfect for the food service industry because you won’t have to worry about any sort of residue contaminating the food or other utensils.
 
FlexFit Nitrile Industrial Gloves are new to our inventory and we love them because they are super lightweight, at just a 3.1 mil thickness, which offers the protection you need while maximizing the fit, dexterity, and comfort you want! They also have textured fingers for excellent grip. The bright blue color is a plus, because it increases compliance and instills confidence in customers because they can easily spot that employees are utilizing protective equipment.