COLUMN: The deadly glove: Hidden dangers in our restaurants

Imagine a beautiful day dining in one of the many delectable restaurants Destin has to offer, only to be interrupted by an emergency call to 911.

This could happen to you or your child.

Upon investigation, you discover the restaurant uses latex gloves to prepare your food. Many people will assume this should not cause alarm or harm, but in fact, latex gloves can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening emergency.  

Latex allergies are increasing, especially among healthcare professionals. As a nurse, I am well aware of not only how life-changing a latex allergy can be, but also career changing. I am one of many nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals who have changed professions after developing an allergy to latex gloves.

After speaking with managers of many Destin restaurants, I soon discovered they use latex gloves in their establishments. When latex gloves are worn during food preparation the latex proteins adhere to the food or the dish, this is a greater possibility if the gloves become wet.

The customer eats the food that contains the latex proteins and can within minutes have a severe allergic reaction and possible death from anaphylaxis.

This discovery prompted me to write a letter to Governor Crist, asking him to ban latex glove use in Florida restaurants. I also submitted information packets to Destin Mayor Craig Barker and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Johns Hopkins has banned latex gloves from their hospital after one of their surgeons developed the allergy.

Three states have already taken action and banned latex glove use in their states. Arizona, Rhode Island and Oregon are the first to ban latex glove use and many other states are looking at passing the same legislation. 

According to the Web site latexallergyinfo.com, “latex gloves are only supposed to be used in the medical field when handling blood borne pathogens.”  

The goal of the Web site “is to advocate the regulation of latex products and ban their use in the food service industry, the healthcare industry and in areas where exposure can affect the health of the general public.”
There are alternative gloves restaurants can use: vinyl, plastic or gloves that are labeled food service gloves. Restaurants that continue to use latex gloves are not only putting the customer at risk but also their staff. After all, the continued use of latex over time presents a greater likelihood of developing the allergy.

Workers’ compensation claims and costly lawsuits are being paid out to employees after developing this allergy in the workplace.

In interviewing many restaurant owners and managers, they were unaware that latex gloves could present such a danger to their customers or employees.

Maybe the change needs to come from the companies that supply the gloves to restaurants in the first place. Glove suppliers should only sell non-latex gloves to all businesses that serve food.

Hopefully, Destin restaurants will make the needed changes to use non-latex gloves to ensure the safety of their patrons and staff.

Sylvia Hartness-Williams is a Destin resident and nurse/paralegal. Contact her at hartnesswilliams@yahoo.com for more information.