What PPE Is Required in Food Manufacturing? Your Buyer’s Guide

The chance of contamination runs high in food manufacturing. 

Being aware of contamination risks is only half the battle. You’ll need to follow food safety laws and HACCP requirements to control and reduce them. Controlling these hazards requires specialist PPE too. 

But what PPE does a food manufacturer actually need?

Here’s the expert buyer’s guide to food manufacturing PPE that you’ve been looking for.

What PPE Does Food Manufacturing Legally Require?

GLOVES

If you were to think of PPE used in food preparation, gloves would be the first to come to mind. 

Gloves must be food-grade to make sure food products can be handled safely.

These gloves are most commonly required for food manufacturing:

• Disposable
• Cut-resistant

APRONS & BODY PROTECTION

Aprons are essential kitchen-wear in food manufacturing. Aprons provide a shield between a worker’s clothes and outside contaminants. 

Disposable aprons are best suited for food handling. If they need to be changed, they can quickly and easily be removed and thrown away.

HEAD COVERINGS

Hair is a big contamination risk in food environments. 

Hairnets are required to keep any loose or fallen hair out of food and off work surfaces. Employees with beards should also be provided with beard snoods.

FOOTWEAR & OVERSHOES

Kitchen-safe safety footwear is essential for food manufacturing employees. 

Shoes should be: 

• Slip resistant
• Pierce resistant
• Made of easy-clean material

Safety trainers are usually suitable for kitchen staff. They’re lightweight and comfortable, making them great for employees who need to move around kitchens, storage areas, and hygiene zones. 

Overshoes may also be required in food manufacturing worksites. These can help prevent cross-contamination if shoes are worn both in and outside of food prep areas.

How to Choose the Right PPE

Every food manufacturer should choose PPE according to their specific employee and work needs. Employee feedback on PPE suitability must also be taken into account. 

To choose the right PPE, think about these factors:

FIT

If PPE doesn’t fit, it doesn’t reduce risk. It also won’t be comfortable to work in. 

DURABILITY

PPE shouldn’t break the moment it’s used. Low-grade PPE can easily wear or soak through. This can also cause comfort issues, so employees are more likely to remove their PPE.

FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS

PPE used in food manufacturing should be certified food safe. PPE that isn’t certified as food safe may cause further contamination risks.

COLOUR-CODING

Procuring colour-coded PPE makes it easier to uphold hygiene standards. Employees working in different areas or hygiene zones will always know what PPE is right for them.

PPE for High-Risk vs Low-Risk Areas

Different risk zones across your food manufacturing premises will require different PPE.

LOW-RISK AREAS

Low-risk areas deal with food that is either already packaged or has a low risk of contamination.

PPE required in low-risk areas often includes:

• Aprons
• Hair nets
• Kitchen workwear
• Disposable gloves
• Overshoes for footwear

HIGH-RISK AREAS

High-risk areas deal with ingredients and products that have a high risk of contamination. Hygiene rules for high-risk areas should be strict. 

PPE required in high-risk areas often includes:

• Food-safe gloves
• Kitchen workwear
• Hair nets & beard snoods
• Protective overlayers, such as an apron
• Safety footwear specific to the high-risk zone

IMPORTANT: These are just examples of PPE you may need in these areas. You’ll need to do a HACCP-compliant risk assessment when considering PPE requirements in high-risk and low-risk zones.

How SMI Simplifies PPE Procurement

Buying food-safe PPE can get complicated. 

A lot of food manufacturers have to shop at multiple suppliers and coordinate orders and deliveries. 

Suppliers can also have low stock availability and end up providing inconsistent PPE items.

SMI can make your procurement strategy a lot simpler. Here’s how:

ALL PPE FROM ONE VENDOR

Our PPE stock all comes from the same vendor: us. When you place an order, you get the PPE you’re expecting.

MULTI-SITE STANDARDISATION

Multiple users can log into your MY-SMI® account. No matter the site, you can get the same high-quality, food-safe PPE you need.

FASTER REPLENISHMENT

With a 97% stock availability, we’ll have what you need in stock. 

Order before 5pm and your PPE will be with you the next day.

REDUCED COST & ADMIN

Filter products seamlessly, bulk order in one click, and stock up on PPE in half the time.

Get the Food Manufacturing PPE You Need

From food-safe gloves to aprons and hair nets, you can get all the necessary PPE from SMI.

Request a PPE audit and supply recommendation from SMI.

FAQs

What should be worn in a commercial kitchen?

These items should be worn in commercial kitchens and food prep areas:

• Clean, slip-resistant footwear
• Food-safe PPE, such as gloves and aprons
• Kitchen workwear, like chef jackets and trousers

What should workers remove before handling food?

If employees are wearing any of the following, they should be removed before handling food: 

• Shoes that aren’t suitable for kitchen areas
• Hand and arm jewellery, such as rings and watches
• Any clothes that aren't specific to food preparation workwear

What are the requirements for PPE in food preparation?

All workers involved in food preparation should follow good hygiene practices. Part of this is wearing the right PPE in food preparation areas.

Requirements for food hygiene PPE are as follows:

• PPE should be suitably protective, meaning it’s durable and fits comfortably
• If soiled, PPE should be removed in a way that prevents further contamination