Eagle Gloves Eliminate Complaints, Reduce Cost
Contaminated gloves were responsible for the recall of products from a pesticide free cannabis producer and processor, Freya Farm. The antimicrobial chemical o-Phenylphenol (OPP), a compound known to cause cancer, was identified as the contaminant in the FDA compliant food grade gloves. Freya Farm now uses Eagle’s Delta Zero™ verified, FineTOUGH nitrile gloves, guaranteed to mitigate glove contamination risks.
Cannabis Recall: Eliminating Contamination with Verified Clean Gloves
Company: Freya Farm
Industry: Cannabis
Location: Washington
Problem: Identify & eliminate product contamination introduced by processing tools
Freya Farm is a cannabis producer and processor in Washington. They are passionate about organic cannabis cultivation, growing high-grade and unique strains.
Background
Although these gloves, sourced from a previous supplier, were FDA food compliant, glove factories supplying the U.S. food industries are not subjected to rigorous ongoing FDA monitoring or scrutiny. Few controls are required in relation to the reliability and consistency of raw material ingredients, manufacturing processes, cleanliness and factory compliance.
This means there is opportunity for manufacturers to reduce costs by using cheap raw materials which lower glove durability, and may introduce toxic compounds which can transfer to glove users and products handled - potentially leading to a cannabis recall.
o-Phenylphenol, responsible for Freya Farm’s cannabis recall, is listed by the OEHHAA as a compound known to cause cancer. It was unknowingly transferred to their product by using contaminated FDA food compliant disposable gloves.
Problems Identified
Following a cannabis recall due to their products testing positive for the antimicrobial chemical o-Phenylphenol, the Freya team conducted full testing of all items which had come in contact with their recalled cannabis products. As a last resort, their single-use “food safe” gloves were tested and found to be the contaminant.
Handling products with contaminated gloves can transfer toxic compounds to the product - risking a cannabis recall.
Risks Of Single-use Glove Contamination To The Cannabis Industry:
Cost of recalled cannabis products
Brand reputation due to cannabis recalls
Possible dermal absorption of toxins to staff wearing gloves 8 hours / day
Solution
Mitigate The Risk Of Cannabis Recalls:
Freya Farm immediately eliminated the contaminated glove issue by sourcing Eagle FineTOUGH and Sensitive nitrile gloves.
Eagle Protect’s proprietary third-party glove analysis ensures a range of Eagle gloves are truly food safe and won’t contaminate products being handled. The analysis tests for:
Cleanliness (microbial & fungal contaminants)
Chemicals & toxins
Durability & cross-contamination potential
Manufacturing consistency is essential to ensure gloves adhere to the highest level of food safety performance.
Conclusion
Purchasing gloves, of no known origin or quality, is a potential business risk. To mitigate this, it is essential to purchase disposable gloves from established suppliers with known quality control measures in place.
The cost of a cannabis recall is too high.
Why Eagle's Glove Analysis?
A range of Eagle gloves are third-party tested to ensure they are clean, safe and of high-quality.
Eagle products are single-sourced to guarantee manufacturing consistency - meaning you get the same product every single time.
