Latex Gloves Are Banned in Illinois Food Service, in 2024 It’s Health Care

The days of the food service industry using latex gloves in Illinois, apparently are over. STLPublic

This "no latex gloves" in the food service industry rule, went into place as of the first of the year in Illinois. "Latex" is the key to this and it is because of people having a "latex" allergy.

There is an exception to this rule, here's the legal mumbo-jumbo:

“Due to a crisis that interrupts a food service establishment’s ability to source nonlatex gloves if latex gloves are used, a sign must be prominently displayed." ILGA

One restaurant in Alton, Illinois has an interesting way to deal with this. Just wash your damn hands, a lot. Check this out:

“It worked very well, we had a timer set. When the timer went off, everyone, for the most part, would stop doing what they were doing, and they would line up at the hand sink.” - Glenn Beaubien, owner of State Street Market in Alton, IL

Next up for the "don't use latex gloves" rule, the health care industry. Wait, hasn't that ALWAYS been the standard for health care? There are vinyl gloves that the health care industry (and food service) can purchase and use, and apparently they are a little cheaper price wise.

Illinois joins a handful of other states that have moved away from latex gloves.  Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon and Rhode Island are done with latex as well.