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Good news for food industry pros and latex haters: that silly law stating that all food handlers have to wear gloves has been repealed.
The law, which went into effect in January, was a nuisance to both bartenders and sushi chefs in particular. It stated that foods must be handled with single-use gloves or utensils like tongs, forks, spoons, bakery or deli wraps, wax paper, scoops, spatulas, or dispensing equipment rather than bare hands.
The law actually might have provided a false sense of security. Says the L.A. Times:
Food safety experts say hand washing doesn't occur enough in general, whether workers are bare-handed or wearing gloves. A study by the Centers for Disease Control on hand washing and hygiene behavior in restaurants found that workers who wore gloves were less likely than those not using gloves to wash their hands when they should.
Moreover, the law would have cost bar and restaurant owners to spend a ridiculous amount of cash on disposable latex gloves, not to mention the environmental impact of such a policy, so it's a win for everyone.
