In the food industry, hygiene is not just a regulation, but a daily commitment to consumer safety. For this reason, having food-safe gloves is essential. These disposable gloves allow you to handle, prepare, and serve food with protection guarantees, avoiding cross-contamination and complying with current health regulations.
Among the most common models are disposable nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves. They all offer protection but differ in ways that may affect safety, operator comfort, and suitability for different processes.
Below, we analyze their key characteristics, highlighting the most relevant advantages of each in the food industry context.
Differences between disposable nitrile, vinyl, and latex gloves
When choosing the most suitable disposable glove, it is essential to know the differences between materials. Below are the most relevant distinctions in the food context.
| Aspect |
Latex gloves |
Vinyl gloves |
Nitrile gloves |
| Material origin |
Natural latex |
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic polymer. |
Synthetic rubber, specifically acrylonitrile-butadiene. |
| Allergy risk |
May cause allergic reactions. |
Hypoallergenic but may contain plasticizers not suitable for all uses. |
Hypoallergenic, do not cause allergies. |
| Chemical resistance |
Good, though limited against some chemicals. |
Low. Provides little protection against chemicals. |
Excellent resistance to chemicals, acids, and oils. |
| Mechanical resistance |
Lower resistance to punctures and tears. |
Low resistance to punctures and tears; less robust. |
High resistance to punctures and long-term wear. |
| Elasticity |
Very elastic, fit well to the hand. |
Not very elastic, conform less to hand shape. |
Good flexibility and anatomical fit. |
| Waterproofness |
Waterproof, but less effective with prolonged exposure. |
Moderate waterproofness. May have microscopic pores. |
Excellent waterproofing. Very resistant to liquids, viruses, and bacteria. |
| Durability |
Shorter lifespan, especially for demanding tasks. |
Short lifespan, especially for tasks requiring resistance. |
Greater durability even for prolonged use. |
| Food compatibility |
Can be used with food if certified. May cause allergies, so restricted in some food settings. |
Moderate. Acceptable for brief food contact. May release plasticizers, not always suitable for fatty foods. |
High. Contains no allergenic proteins. Resistant to fats, oils. Highly recommended for food handling. |
Due to their resistance, adaptability, and excellent compliance with European regulations, nitrile disposable gloves stand out as the best option for the food industry.
Certified Gloves for the Food Industry: Quality Assurance
Safety in the use of disposable gloves does not depend solely on their strength or comfort, but also on their suitability for direct contact with food. For this, it is essential that they are identified with the food-safe symbol and have certifications issued by accredited national laboratories. This ensures compliance with current regulations and strengthens confidence in their professional use. In addition, they must come from suppliers operating under rigorously verified quality systems.
In this regard, it is essential that the distributing company is certified under the IFS Logistics standard, which ensures efficient and safe management throughout the food logistics chain. This type of certification guarantees:
- Full traceability of products through batch tracking.
- Strict control of quality and storage conditions.
- Continuous supervision throughout the entire supply chain.
Our disposable nitrile gloves are specifically designed to meet the demands of the food sector and are certified with:
- Suitable for food contact.
- Certified by national laboratories.
- EN ISO 374-1:2016/A1:2018 Type B (or Type C in some models): protection against chemical risks.
- EN ISO 374-5:2016: protection against viruses.
These certifications, together with the guarantee support of the IFS Logistics quality system, ensure that the gloves meet the most demanding industry requirements.
Which are the most resistant nitrile gloves?
Below, we present the most recommended models for the food industry. All of them stand out for their resistance, comfort, and specific certifications for food contact:
Ultralight and resistant. Powder-free nitrile. With a thickness of 0.07 mm and 3.5 grams, it offers a secure and comfortable fit. 240 mm long. AQL 1.5. Certified for food contact, viruses, and chemicals (EN ISO 374-1:2016/A1:2018 Type C and EN ISO 374-5:2016).
Suitable for food use.
€3.95 / 100 pcs. (VAT not included)
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Disposable nitrile glove, latex- and powder-free, designed for tasks requiring hygiene and continuous protection. With 0.10 mm thickness and 5.5 grams weight, 240 mm long. AQL 1.5. Highly durable against punctures and tears. Flexible and comfortable, certified for food contact and compliant with EN ISO 374-1:2016/A1:2018 Type B and EN ISO 374-5:2016.
Suitable for food use.
€4.90 / 100 pcs. (VAT not included)
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Extra-long model with reinforced cuff for better wrist protection, 300 mm long. 0.11 mm thickness and 7.4 g. AQL 1.5. Ideal for food handling in demanding conditions. Flexible, resistant, and with good grip. Suitable for food use, latex- and powder-free, compliant with EN ISO 374-1:2016/A1:2018 Type B and EN ISO 374-5:2016.
Suitable for food use.
€8.90 / 100 pcs. (VAT not included)
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Where to buy gloves for food handling?
At Reysan Atlantic you will find a wide selection of certified nitrile gloves for food use, with different sizes, thicknesses and lengths, designed to cover all needs of the food industry.
In addition, we also offer a complete line of disposable clothing suitable for this sector, complying with all hygiene and quality standards, and backed by IFS Logistics certification.
If you have any questions or need personalized advice on which products best suit your industry, our team of experts will be happy to help you with professional and friendly support.