Do kitchen staff use Latex gloves in food prep?

[FreddyBeach]

Just wondering if anyone knows if the kitchen staff uses gloves in the food preparation process? A better question might be, what kind of gloves do they use?

My wife (a nurse) has a serious Latex allergy and has to avoid latex as much as possible. It would be great if someone knew if they used Latex or Vinyl gloves in the prep process, and if it is Latex, what our options would be for her food choice-wise.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[mickeymedic]

I am interested in this, too. I have a severe latex allergy. I didn't have any problems on our last cruise - in 2006. But my allergy was not nearly as severe at that point.

 

[Cruise]

This question might be better answered by calling Disney themselves. They might change suppliers or have different items for different ships....or even different cruises if they can get one supply in Florida, but not in Spain, etc.

In either case, be sure to fill out a medical request form before your trip. Disney takes allergies very seriously and if you note your concern about gloves and food prep, they'll address it with you.

Good luck!

 

[FreddyBeach]

I just sent an e-mail to:

dcl.special.request.medical@disney.com

I'll post the response when I get one..

Thanks.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I'm guessing they are not latex because latex allergies are becoming very prominent. I too am curious about the answer- I'm also a nurse with a pretty significant latex allergy and my son has developed an allergy to latex powder. I've never had a problem on the cruise.

 

[tjbaggott]

I can tell you that I'm pretty certain they do NOT use latex gloves. In their cruise documentation, you will even notice in the prohibited items list "Latex Balloons". They don't want it on board, so I'm sure that means what they use in the kitchen as well.

 

[FreddyBeach]

I found another thread on this site dealing with this very issue. See link below.

It sounds like all food prep uses 100% latex free gloves. I'll still post any response I receive from DCL.

Latex in Food Prep

Mike in the Maritimes

 

[atinkerbellmom]

I know 2 years ago they were using vinyl. I do not see them going backwards with that. Actually clothes are not used with a lot of the prep; just clean hands as with most high end dining. Now gloves are worn when then dress and toss salads, etc and those are (at least 2 yrs prior) were vinyl..... I do not think sh will hav any issues. (I too have the latex issue.... It happens to all of us old foggy people). The new physicians, nurses, aids and dentist will not have this problem as most things in our field are latex free now. I too share this in common with her; but shhhhh..... did you know it is kind of frown upon in our career, even though the career is what did it to us....
Disney does not allow balloons on the ship at all to protect marine life, but they will have them on board for a balloon drop for New Years & Fouth of July. So just be aware. Tell her not to worry though. The ones they wear at pool side are vinyl as well.

 

[FreddyBeach]

It took a few tries, but I was finally able to get something resembling a straight answer from the 'DCL Special Request' e-mail address.

Here is what they said:
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Good Afternoon Michael,

While our kitchen and food preparation areas are normally stocked with latex-free gloves, occasionally, our vendors and suppliers may substitute products. Therefore, in order to see that your allergy is accommodated properly, it is important that you alert your head server and stateroom host upon your arrival to the ship. I have also indicated this request on your reservation to see that our onboard team is properly notified.

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Corey
Disney Cruise Line Special Services
Office: 1-800-939-2784
Fax: 407-938-4295
DCL.Special.Request@disney.com
= = = = = = = = = = = =

So they are essentially saying that even though we don't USUALLY have Latex gloves, our suppliers might still sneak some in while we are not looking so we still will need to take precautions.

Mike.

 

[RedSox68]

My husband works with food and they use what is called food prep gloves. Not sure what they are made of, but are specifically made to be used in the handling of food. So I would assume they are not latex since that is an allergy concern. But the above advice is always a safe measure -- inform them ahead of time.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My DD's latex allergy has worsened over the last few years. It is potentially life threatening and she spent 3 days in icu last summer. No hospital or doctors office is completely latex free, so don't get complacent. She is a nurse and was having a reaction to the stoppers in the vials. Took 4 trips to the er, each one worse than the last. It's surprising, the lack of awareness, regarding latex allergies. Folks think she's over-the-top, making sure she doesn't come into contact with ANY latex.

So, please always be extra careful. Thank you OP, for bringing attention to this subject.

 

[kcashner]

The issue with suppliers is a particular problem when the ship is in Europe or other "not quite the usual" situation. They were dealing with all sorts of food supply issues last summer on the Magic.

Bottom line--YOU need to be responsible for communication with your stateroom host and serving team. Do not assume that a notation on a reservation means that everything is taken care of!

 

[mickeymedic]

Thank you everyone for the updates. I will be sure to have a notation made on my reservation as well as notifying my head server, server and stateroom host.

 

[SharonLowe]

My husband works with food and they use what is called food prep gloves. Not sure what they are made of, but are specifically made to be used in the handling of food. So I would assume they are not latex since that is an allergy concern. But the above advice is always a safe measure -- inform them ahead of time.

Unfortunately, food prep gloves can be latex or vinyl. I volunteer at a local "soup" kitchen and we just recently switched from latex to vinyl.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I would call and asked and make Disney aware well before your trip as others have said. I heard they have a special kitchen for people with allergrys but i am not sure

 

[mickeymedic]

It took a few tries, but I was finally able to get something resembling a straight answer from the 'DCL Special Request' e-mail address.

Here is what they said:
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Good Afternoon Michael,

While our kitchen and food preparation areas are normally stocked with latex-free gloves, occasionally, our vendors and suppliers may substitute products. Therefore, in order to see that your allergy is accommodated properly, it is important that you alert your head server and stateroom host upon your arrival to the ship. I have also indicated this request on your reservation to see that our onboard team is properly notified.

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Corey
Disney Cruise Line Special Services
Office: 1-800-939-2784
Fax: 407-938-4295
DCL.Special.Request@disney.com
= = = = = = = = = = = =

So they are essentially saying that even though we don't USUALLY have Latex gloves, our suppliers might still sneak some in while we are not looking so we still will need to take precautions.

Mike.

I sent a similar inquirey to the same email address (special requests) and got a much more vague answer:

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for contacting Disney Cruise Line Special Services! We hope you look forward to your sailing aboard the Disney Dream!

Thank you for making us aware of your concerns pertaining to latex allergies, and inquiring about latex free options available within or dining locations. Typically, the gloves used to perform foodhandling tasks within our food establishments are made from raw materials that do not include latex. Unfortunately, the potential exists that some food service areas and other areas in our various supplier facilities may utilize latex gloves, therefore we cannot assure you that our foods or food service establishments have not been exposed to latex. Please use your own best judgment and discretion to determine whether you should eat any particular item of food based on your own evaluation of your latex allergy, since we cannot guarantee that latex may not have been introduced inadvetently by us or by manufacturers, shippers or others during some stage of the food chain process.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to give us a call. Thank you, once again, for contacting Disney Cruise Line. Have a magical day!

"Use your own best judgement" just doesn't seem like adequate advice here. I understand that Disney has no control over what happens before the supplies reach their ship. But there was no guidance at all about talking to the serving team or stateroom host. Fortunately I have the Dis to fall back on. I guess it goes to show that not all customer service reps are created equal. But, then again, that is not a surprise.

 

[mickeymedic]

OK - I have an update after my last post. I replied to the above email expressing my disappointment that my concerns were not fully addressed (no mention of latex-free gloves for cleaning staff) and no useful advise given regarding the food prep.

I received a phone call today from the Disney Cruiseline CM who sent me the email. He was very pleasant on the phone. He assured me that there was a notation made on my reservations, and that messages would be sent to our serving team and state room host. He recommended that I talk to our serving team and state room host, too, to ensure that they are aware of my allergy. He apologized for neglecting to mention the gloves used for cleaning. Like the food service gloves, they typically are latex free. However, he still had to add the foot note about occasionally vendors supply something other than what was ordered.

Overall, I am happy with the outcome. I feel this has now been addressed in true "Disney" fashion. And I am more comfortable knowing that they are aware of my allergy and notations have been made. I'm OK with the fact that there is no 100% gurantee that there will be nothing latex on the ship. I don't live in a bubble...so I deal with the possibility of latex exposure on a daily basis. But I am also very careful about where I eat and what I touch to minimize the danger.