The reason the hands should be washed after removing gloves is to prevent spread of germs and bacteria.
When you remove the gloves with your hands you can get bacteria and germs onto your hands which can spread and by washing your hands after removing the gloves you prevent the spread of the germs and bacteria.
Kitchen staff don't have to wear gloves when handling ready to eat foods and cooked foods but kitchen staff do have to wear gloves when handling raw meat and raw ingredients.
Other foods that should not be handled with bare hands include.
Fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and vegetables for mixed drinks.
Garnishes like parsley, lettuce, lemon wedges, potato chips and pickles.
Bred, rolls, baked goods, toast.
Cold meats and sandwiches.
Salads and salad ingredients.
Prepared fresh fruits and vegetables that are served raw.
Chefs do not touch food with bare hands as chefs and cooks are required by the health department and FDA to wear gloves when handling and preparing foods.
However sometimes chefs and cooks may handle food with bare hands prior to cooking but it's generally okay in that case when the food is going to be cooked where the bacteria and germs would be cooked.
The reason chefs wear black gloves is for the professional appearance.
Wearing black gloves gives the chefs a professional look and appearance and adds an element of sophistication to a professional kitchen.
The black gloves that chefs wear also hides stains better than clear or white gloves and helps the chef maintain a clean appearance throughout the cooking process.
Wearing black gloves provide an excellent solution for situations such as catering and food service, while for food handling, processing and preparation operations, blue service gloves are probably the safest and most regulation-compliant option.
Nitrile gloves are the best gloves for chefs as they are the superior glove when it comes to puncture resistance.
The snug fit offered with Nitrile allows chefs and cooks better control of food handling not found with other lose fitting gloves.
The maximum temperature threshold that black nitrile gloves can withstand varies depending on the specific manufacturer and product line.
On average, these gloves can typically endure temperatures ranging from 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (93 to 149 degrees Celsius).
One of the primary reasons for chefs to wear disposable gloves is food safety.
Gloves act as a barrier, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between different ingredients, especially when handling raw meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat items.
This extra layer of protection can help prevent foodborne illnesses.