In any food business, the people preparing food are part of the hygiene system. Hair, skin, sweat and whatever is on their clothes can end up in food. Simple personal protective equipment (PPE) protects the food, the customers and your reputation.
Hairnets and mop caps
Hair in food is one of the most common complaints in restaurants and food factories. Disposable mop caps keep hair contained.
- Cover all the hair, including fringes and long hair tied back.
- Put the cap on before washing your hands and entering the prep area.
- Replace it when it's soiled or torn, and at the start of each shift.
Beard covers
Staff with beards or moustaches should wear a beard cover in food-prep areas, especially in factories and bakeries where food is exposed.
Gloves
Disposable deli gloves are useful for handling ready-to-eat food, but they're not magic:
- Wash hands before putting gloves on.
- Change gloves between tasks, such as raw meat to salad, and whenever they're torn or soiled.
- Never use the same gloves to handle money and then food.
- Gloves don't replace handwashing.
Aprons and clean uniforms
- Start each shift in a clean uniform.
- Use aprons over uniforms and change them when they're dirty.
- Take aprons off when leaving the kitchen, for example to go to the washroom or take out rubbish.
The basics that go with PPE
- Keep nails short and clean, and avoid jewellery other than a plain band.
- Cover cuts with a brightly coloured waterproof plaster.
- Stay away from food prep when ill with stomach symptoms.
Make it easy to comply
Keep PPE stocked at the kitchen entrance, next to the handwash basin. When supplies are easy to reach, people use them.
Stock up
Mop Caps, Beard Covers and Deli Gloves are available in bulk packs from maxproducts.co.za.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Visit maxproducts.co.za →
Beard Cover
Mop Caps (100 Pack)
Deli Gloves (100 Pack)
