HOME

ABOUT US

LATEX ALLERGY INFO

RESTAURANTS

LATEX STORIES

SIGN THE PETITION

TELL YOUR STORY

OUR ADVOCATES

CONTACT US

Latex in Restaurants

Most restaurants through the United States use Latex gloves to prep their food. The reason they use them is because they don't know the law on handling food in restaurants. The law in most states says that preprepped food cannot be handled with bare hands. However, most chefs and restaurant management think that the law says that gloves have to be used for preprepped food. The other problem is most restaurants don't know the difference between latex gloves and other types of gloves. Most people think that Latex gloves are the same as Vinyl gloves, Plastic gloves, Nitrile gloves and any other type of glove. The truth is, Latex gloves are only supposed to be used in the medical field when handling blood borne pathogens. When used in a restaurant setting, the Latex proteins break down quicker because of their exposure to water and heat. If restaurant managers knew the difference between the different types of gloves, they would know that Latex gloves are not the best choice for that type of usage. By using Latex in their restaurant, they put their employees and patrons at risk. Employees who become allergic to latex may also file for workers comp which can cost the company more money and even progress to lawsuits. Latex gloves are more expensive than Vinyl or Plastic gloves. Latex gloves have been linked to fires. When certain conditions are reached, some properties in the gloves have been known to cause combustion (Article 1, Article 2, Article 3: middle of the page).

How to Check if a Restaurant is Safe

If you are allergic to Latex and are going to eat at a restaurant, the best thing to do is to have them show you the box of gloves that they use. You cannot trust most people when you just ask because most people associate Latex with every type of glove. If Latex is used in that restaurant, DO NOT EAT THERE! Latex gloves are made out of a tree sap and the Latex proteins are very sticky like that tree sap. The latex particles not only stick to food, but also countertops, utensils, dishes, pots, pans, and any other surface they make contact with. If they have Latex in their kitchen anywhere, consider it contaminated. It will often take several cleanings to sterilize the kitchen of all the Latex particles. If they offer to try to make food without Latex, DON'T LET THEM TRY! They most likely don't know enough about it to keep your food from touching it and you will still get a reaction if you are allergic. Let them know that if they want to help, they can switch away from Latex gloves and use Vinyl or Plastic gloves.

Important: If you find a restaurant that does not use Latex gloves to prep their food, you still may want to be weary of the bread, salad and deserts. Many restaurants purchase their bread from other bakeries who may use Latex gloves. To prevent reactions, it is best to avoid any bread you find in restaurants unless the latex free restaurant makes their own bread. Some restaurants also purchase pre-made salad. That means the salad was cut and tossed in some place other than that restaurant. If they buy  whole heads of lettuce and cut it themselves, for example, the salad will usually be fine.

Report a Restaurant and Make Them Change

Are you allergic to Latex and get reactions whenever you eat at a restaurant? Do you want to do your part in making the entire foodservice industry Latex Free so that you can eat without fear? Download and print out copies of the Latex Warning to the right and issue them to any restaurant you find using Latex when preparing their food. Use the "How to Check if a restaurant is Safe" section above to see what types of gloves they use and issue a citation. Once the citation is issued, contact us to have them added to the "Contaminated Restaurants" list. Plus, it will be fun to make a difference and to see the looks on their faces! You don't have to be allergic to join in on the movement. Download the warning and start the hunt for Latex gloves in restaurants.

Latex Free Areas

There are currently three states that have banned the use of Latex gloves in their foodservice industries. Anyone allergic or sensitive to latex should be safe at any restaurant in these states. They are:

üArizona   üOregon   üRhode Island

Any restaurant, establishment or company found using Latex gloves during their food preparation will be fined by the state health department. Why are these the only states? Ask your state's Department of Health to find out why. Obviously, there is a good reason if three states have banned them completely. Why haven't the others followed their examples.

üMemphis, TN

Although not completely Latex free, Memphis was a great place for a person who is allergic to Latex. We visited there on business and found 5 out of 6 restaurants in the downtown area that were Latex free. One of which had some great music as well! If visiting the area, be sure to double check before you eat.

!=Confrontational or Inconsiderate when approached

*=Latex Warning issued (Multiple means multiple warnings issued)

Restaurant List Updates: The restaurant information above was updated on April 2, 2008. If you would like to get your restaurant added to the Latex Free list, contact us at 813-810-0106. If you have been deemed a Latex-Free restaurant, random checks will be done to verify your adherence.

Disclaimer: The list above is kept as up-to-date as possible. However, some larger chain restaurant locations may not be in adherence to the corporate standards of that company. It is always best to check before eating to prevent any reactions. The purpose of the list above is not to slander any company or establishment. The purpose is of the list is to inform those who are allergic to Latex where they can eat without having to worry about a reaction. LatexAllergyInfo.com takes no responsibility for any consequences that result from this list. To be safe, please follow the guidelines above to check on each restaurant before eating.