Plastic Gloves

I see a lot of pictures of people using plastic gloves while handling raw meat. Honestly, I hate disposable items ... especially plastic ones. I just don't like the thought of using something once and then just tossing it. Especially if I don't have to.

I'm very diligent in washing my hands between tasks. Even if I'm going to just check the oven while I'm cutting meat, I'll wash my hands before checking the oven ... then go back to cutting meat.

When done properly, is hand washing sufficient?

Sure constant and thorough hand washing is probably sufficient for home meat preparation. There may be laws/rules that require meat prepared at a restaurant or contest that require gloves. Personally, I use the gloves as a convenience item even though I still wash my hands/forarms etc. before handling or moving between meat or food items. I'm a bit paranoid about food safety and would never want anybody to get sick from something I prepared.

Also make sure to use vinyl instead of latex gloves for handling food. Latex will kind of give a 'flavor' to the food. I use gloves unless I am in a place where I can easily wash my hands and arms early and often, especially with warm water.

Our water sits in our tank on the roof in the sun all day. It's definitely warm! The local water district doesn't provide adequate pressure, so many people get pump water into their own tanks and use gravity to give pressure.

I make sure that I have Ivory soap next to the kitchen sink and wash at least 5 or 6 times even for simple foods.