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HYGIENIC, SAFE, COMPLIANT - PSA IN THE FOOD SECTOR
Strict hygiene standards apply in food processing - and for good reason. Anyone who works with food bears responsibility for its quality, safety and harmlessness. Whether during processing, packaging or in direct contact with customers: PPE - such as protective gloves, aprons or respirators - is essential to protect both food and the wearer from contamination or health risks.However, not all products are automatically suitable for food contact. Only models that have been specially tested and approved may come into contact with the end product. Standards and legal requirements play a key role here - they create clarity and safety in selection and use.
APPROVED OR NOT? HOW SUITABILITY FOR FOOD IS TESTED
In order to be used in food processing or packaging, PPE must meet specific legal requirements. It is crucial that no harmful substances are transferred to food and that neither the smell, taste nor composition of the product is affected.In particular, protective gloves made of plastics such as nitrile, latex or vinyl are tested to determine how many ingredients - known as migrants - can be transferred to food under realistic conditions. For this purpose, standardized laboratory tests are carried out in which the materials are brought into contact with fat, acid, water or heat. If the results remain within the permissible limits, the protective gloves are deemed suitable for use with food.
In addition to the composition itself, the type of food also plays a key role. A distinction is made between dry, aqueous, acidic and fatty foods. It should always be noted that not all products suitable for food contact are automatically suitable for every category. PPE that is approved for dry foodstuffs, for example, may be unsuitable for contact with oily or greasy products. Approval must therefore be tested and documented for each specific application.
Another criterion is material resistance: PPE must remain stable, tear-resistant and chemically resistant throughout the intended contact time. Undesirable interactions can occur, especially with prolonged or repeated use. This makes it all the more important to pay attention to tested quality and a product selection suitable for the application - tailored to the respective requirements for handling food.
LABELING: HOW TO RECOGNIZE FOOD SUITABILITY
PPE that is approved for contact with food generally bears the “glass and fork” symbol.
COMFORT MEETS HYGIENE: FOOD CONTACT IN EVERYDAY WORKING LIFE
PPE for food contact must not only comply with legal requirements, but also impress in everyday working life. Features such as non-slip surfaces, flexible materials and a skin-friendly texture ensure that it remains comfortable and functional even when worn for long periods of time - without restricting its protective effect.Whether disposable nitrile gloves, reusable models or particularly chemical-resistant products: The selection should always be adapted to the specific area of application. This also applies to supplementary PPE such as food-safe aprons or particle-filtering masks that are used in hygiene-critical areas. This is the only way to ensure safe and hygienic food processing - whether in industrial production, catering or retail.
