Use of personal protective equipment and its implications in food hygiene: literature review

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the correlation between aspects of personal hygiene, such as the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by food handlers, and hygiene parameters in their handling. The Google Scholar database was used, and the search comprised publications with a period of 10 years, that is, between 2012 and 2022. Few studies were found about the proposed theme. However, all of them established a direct and significant correlation between aspects of personal hygiene and food, even with different variables, and safe food production. Only three studies made an association between the use of PPE and hygiene parameters in food handling. Two of them found the occurrence of cross-contamination between handlers' hands and surfaces, and food, demonstrating a direct and significant correlation between aspects of personal hygiene and the provision of safe food. However, one author did not find a substantial effect on the quality of vegetables through the variables of good practices, hand hygiene, physical examination, and use of PPE, although the variable of good hygiene had a significant effect. More research is therefore needed on the proper use of PPE and how it affects food safety.