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Nutrition, Health and Safety

Food Protection Program
Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommend that latex gloves NOT be used in food establishments. Latex gloves may cause severe allergic reactions in certain sensitized individuals. As stated in 105 CMR 590.004(E), single-use natural rubber latex gloves are not recommended in food establishments.

Symptoms of Latex Allergy

Occurrence of Latex Allergies

Studies done on health care workers show that because of the repeated and prolonged exposure to latex gloves approximately 10% of this population has developed sensitivities to latex. Food establishment employees who repeatedly use latex gloves, may also be at risk of developing sensitivity to latex which could result in their becoming allergic to a wide range of latex containing products. There is a concern that if food employees continue to use latex gloves, a significant percentage may develop allergies to latex.

Consumers who are sensitized to latex can be at risk if they consume food that has been handled by workers wearing latex gloves. The allergens from the gloves can be transferred to the food, and may cause a reaction in allergic individuals. Recent reports in the scientific literature indicate that approximately 1% to 6% of the general population are sensitized to latex. Although reactions appear to be rare, sensitized people may be at risk of experiencing an allergic reaction should they eat food which has been handled with latex gloves.

Recommendations

Food establishments should avoid the use of latex gloves. Good substitutes for latex gloves are available and include, vinyl, nitrile, polyvinyl , chloroprene, or polyethylene gloves, and deli tissues and tongs. As always, good handwashing practices are critical in food service operations.

Important Points

• Latex gloves are not recommended for use in food establishments.

• Repeated use of latex gloves has been shown to increase the risk of developing allergies to latex.

• In rare instances, consumers who have latex allergies may react to food which has been handled with latex gloves

• Good alternatives to latex gloves are available and include:

  • polyvinyl
  • nitrile
  • chloroprene
  • polyethylene

• Use of gloves can be limited by using utensils and deli tissues.

• Use of gloves does not decrease the need for good handwashing practices.

Internet Resources on Latex Allergies

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html. Contains the full text of NIOSH's alert on latex allergy.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/hot_3.html. Contains the full text of OSHA's Technical Information Bulletin on latex gloves.

Latex Allergy Links
http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com. Latex Allergy Links is a comprehensive and up-to-date listing of latex allergy-related sites on the Internet. It also includes articles and practical information about latex allergy, a message board, chat room, mailing list and guestbook. This educational networking site is brought to you by the members of Elastic, Inc., the National Latex Allergy Network.