What is the purpose of using gloves in food handling?

Using gloves in food handling primarily serves to protect food from contamination. When handling food, particularly ready-to-eat items, the risk of transferring bacteria and other pathogens from hands to the food increases. Gloves act as a barrier, reducing the likelihood of introducing harmful microorganisms that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

While gloves can offer some degree of grip and keep hands clean, their main objective in a food service environment is to ensure food safety. The use of gloves is a critical component of hygienic food preparation practices, helping to maintain the integrity of food and protect public health. They are not used to provide warmth or for aesthetic reasons, and while they might assist with grip to some extent, that is not their primary function in food handling.