Glove Use in Restaurants

The Board of Health receives many inquires regarding food employees not wearing gloves. Wearing gloves is not mandatory. To assist everyone in better understanding what is enforced, we have provided an excerpt from the current Food and Drug A Food Administration Code that Massachusetts health inspectors enforce. This paragraph explains the many options food service employees may use to avoid bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food (ready-to-eat food is food that is edible without washing, cooking or additional preparation).

Food Code Chapter 3-301.11(B)

Food Code Chapter 3-301.11(B) states in part, Except when washing fruits and vegetables, food employees may not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves or dispensing equipment.

A Food Code Violation exists if there is no barrier between the bare hand and the ready-to-eat food. Gloves are not the only acceptable barrier.

For More Information

For more detailed information, view the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Food Protection Program Guidelines (PDF).