When is it acceptable to wear disposable gloves?

Wearing disposable gloves is appropriate primarily after washing hands first and ensuring that gloves are changed between different food handling activities. This practice minimizes the risk of cross-contamination and helps maintain food safety standards.

When gloves are put on after proper handwashing, they act as a barrier, protecting both the food and the handler from contamination. Additionally, discarding gloves between different tasks — such as moving from handling raw proteins to ready-to-eat foods — further reduces the likelihood of transferring harmful pathogens that may be present on one type of food to another.

Understanding the importance of handwashing before gloving shows a commitment to hygiene and health regulations, emphasizing that gloves should not be seen as a substitute for proper handwashing techniques.