HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a food safety system used around the world. It focuses on the prevention of food contamination to help operations that handle food maintain a proactive approach instead of a reactive one. It’s been around since the 1960s and is still a key part of keeping food safe.
But here is where people get confused: HACCP is not a certification for products, but instead a certification applied to the processing facility. Take gloves, for example. You cannot have “HACCP certified gloves” as that is a misleading claim. The glove factory, on the other hand, can be a HACCP-certified facility. If the factory follows HACCP-based food safety procedures, it can be certified, which means the factory’s environment and processes are safe for making products that touch food. For example, the factory that produces Eagle’s FineTOUGH (indigo), Derma2 (blue), and Derma2 (black) nitrile gloves is HACCP certified. But again, this certification applies to the factory, not the gloves themselves.
Further confusion arises with HACCP International’s certification. As an independent body, HACCP International assesses non-food items, like gloves, for their suitability in food handling environments that follow a HACCP-based food safety system. While gloves themselves can't be HACCP certified (since HACCP refers to processes), they can carry a HACCP International certification. This indicates that the gloves have met criteria aligned with food safety standards.
When it comes to food safety, are certificates enough?
Recent studies have uncovered serious problems in the glove industry. There are multiple reports of gloves contaminated with chemicals, microbes, and physical debris, often due to poor manufacturing practices and weak regulations. Since food handling gloves aren’t required to be tested for things like microbial contamination, holes, or defects, and there’s no verification at the point of import, some manufacturers can cut corners to save money without facing consequences. This means relying solely on factory certifications or HACCP-based systems may not be enough to guarantee that the gloves produced are safe for food use.
The Solution
To truly protect against glove contamination risks, independent verification is essential. A recent peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Food Protection supports this, calling for stronger checks beyond factory certifications. That’s why Eagle Protect developed Delta Zero™—a third-party testing program that verifies glove safety, testing for:
- Microbial contamination
- Harmful toxins and chemicals
- Glove durability
A comprehensive food safety system requires verification of every food contact surface, including disposable gloves, typically the last point of contact with food products. Eagle Protect’s line of Delta Zero™ verified gloves offer a science-based solution to safe food handling. Reach out to us if you are interested in tested and verified food-safe gloves.
Disposable gloves are crucial in food safety, particularly in ready-to-eat settings. Need help aligning your glove selection with food safety standards? Download our free Supplier Preventive Controls: Disposable Gloves to ensure your business meets best practices for food safety.
