Better Gloves. Stronger Food Safety Culture.
Food safety culture refers to the shared values, attitudes and behaviours that shape how everyone in a business approaches food safety. It goes beyond documentation or audits.
In New Zealand, food safety culture is an increasingly recognised component of food safety management systems, particularly among larger food manufacturers and exporters who meet international certification standards. Industry training providers also offer guidance on fostering food safety culture as part of compliance with programmes such as FSSC 22000 or BRCGS.
We often talk about gloves as food safety tools to prevent contamination, but they also influence staff morale and performance, both key to a strong food safety culture.
Small Tool, Big Message: Gloves and Culture
Gloves are one of the most visible and direct food contact surfaces in any food business, with workers wearing them for hours every day. They can have a significant impact on food production and processing or fast-paced foodservice environments.
If gloves are poor quality, prone to tearing, or cause skin irritation, they not only hinder compliance with hygiene protocols but also send a broader message: that speed or cost takes precedence over safety and staff wellbeing. This can negatively impact how seriously staff take food safety protocols.
By contrast, providing single-use gloves that are safe, comfortable, and reliable can support better outcomes, including:
- Greater adherence to glove and hand hygiene protocols
- Lower frustration and better productivity (fewer glove changes & improved comfort)
- Stronger staff buy-in to safety and quality standards
The Risk of Sourcing Based on Price Alone
When procurement decisions are made solely on unit cost, gloves may arrive with issues that go unseen until in use. These can include:
- Rips and holes
- Chemical or microbial contamination due to poor manufacturing controls
- Skin irritation or reactions from glove toxins
- Poor durability, requiring frequent glove changes
These contamination risks have been highlighted in peer-reviewed studies, including the Journal of Food Protection, due to manufacturing shortcuts in food-grade gloves, together with a lack of mandatory testing and verification upon import.
Gloves as a Tool to Strengthen Culture
Providing better quality gloves is an easy way to demonstrate care for staff and food safety. It shows that:
- Food and staff safety are prioritised in procurement decisions
- Staff wellbeing is recognised
- The tools provided are aligned with the expectations of audits and certifications
Building a strong culture requires enabling people with the right tools, not just policies. As Frank Yiannas, former FDA Deputy Commissioner and food safety advocate, stated:
“You can have the best food safety policies, documented procedures and rules in the world, but if they’re not put into practice by the people, they’re useless.”
A Small Shift with a Big Impact
Whether you’re managing a processing facility, a foodservice operation, or sourcing for a national brand, upgrading glove quality is a simple but powerful step. It reduces contamination risks, improves staff satisfaction, and strengthens your food safety culture.
If you're rethinking how gloves fit into your own food safety culture and staff wellbeing, we’re here to help. Contact our team to discuss glove options that support your food safety goals and show your staff they matter.
