(PCM) Back in early January a new law passed in California that required all workers who handle ready-to-eat food wear gloves at all times. While the initial law received many complaints from the restaurant industry, it was certainly understandable why an individual that handle food that is going to directly consumed by the restaurant patron would be required to wear protective gloves.
Now, it seems that the law has extended to include bartenders as well! The bartenders will be required to wear gloves when handling citrus, ice, herbs and other garnishes that often accompany mixed drinks and aren’t cooked.
The bartenders is California are outraged by the new law claiming that it will make their job twice as hard, as they will be constantly switching in and out of gloves all throughout the evening. Bartenders are constantly handling cash and registers so therefore there would be a ton of gloves getting thrown out every few minutes, which to them seems to be nothing more than a huge waste and they even point out that the latex gloves are not environmentally friendly.
Thus far, the state of California is in a soft-enforcement period with the new law and are opting not to penalize those who choose not to wear the gloves at this time. However, when it comes time for health inspection reports, all those who do not comply will be written up for their choice not to use the gloves.
