Navigating Tariffs and Building a Smarter Glove Strategy Without Compromising Food Safety or Your Budget

Jun 27, 2025

This column is here to help restaurant operators, foodservice distributors, and consultants rethink how they approach gloves and disposables in an uncertain market—without compromising food safety, worker efficiency, or cost control.

Over the last 20 years, the disposable product space has evolved significantly. Operators have come to expect stable supply, competitive pricing, and products that work—both in performance and environmental impact. But the COVID-19 pandemic cracked open the myth of supply chain stability. Ocean freight skyrocketed. Containers sat offshore. Gloves vanished overnight.

Now, tariffs have taken center stage again. Unlike in the past, where importers had months to prepare for tariff changes, this round hit fast and without warning. We’ve seen sudden price spikes, supply chain chaos, and product shortages—all of which force foodservice operators to make fast, high-stakes decisions.

Here’s what makes gloves fundamentally different: they’re non-negotiable. They’re legally required, critical to food safety, and must perform to protect both the customer and the worker. You can hand out forks on request—but you can’t “cut back” on gloves. That’s why tariffs hit this product category harder.

And yet, some operators try to manage gloves like any other disposable—by shopping on price. That’s a mistake. Buying cheap gloves can cost you much more in the long run. Poor-quality gloves tear, fit badly, or even leave behind fragments in food. Some are stiff and uncomfortable, leading to worker fatigue and slowdowns. In some cases, low-grade gloves have pinholes that allow bacteria to spread. That’s not just a performance issue—that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

We’ve had operators tell us, “A glove is a glove.” It’s not. Glove quality varies dramatically by country, factory, material, and even batch. Our job at Elara is to help operators tell the difference—and choose smarter.

Let’s clear something up: there’s never been large-scale glove production in the U.S., especially for nitrile gloves. The cost and infrastructure needs are massive. For now, the global glove market runs through Asia, particularly Malaysia, China, Vietnam, and Thailand.

But not all imports are created equal. Factories differ in quality control, ethical labor practices, and ability to respond to demand shifts. Some suppliers jump from factory to factory chasing low prices, meaning the gloves inside the box today may not be the same as last time. At Elara, we don’t do that. Our supply model is built on stable, long-term partnerships. We audit factories, test materials, and track how our gloves perform in real kitchens. That’s how we keep quality up—even when the market goes sideways.

When tariffs hit, buyer behavior shifts quickly. Some stockpile inventory, hoping to beat price increases. Others panic and start swapping products without checking specs. Almost everyone gets more price-sensitive. That’s understandable—but dangerous.

Stockpiling too much ties up cash and risks expiration. Understocking leads to operational chaos and premium “spot buys.” The real strategy? Be flexible. Plan for temporary substitutions. Work with a partner who knows the market and has options at the ready.

We’ve spent the last year helping customers rework their glove programs. In many cases, we’ve found gloves that better fit the task—at a lower cost—without compromising safety.

At Elara, gloves are our focus. It’s not just a product line—it’s what we do. And in a crowded, price-driven market, specialization is what protects operators. While some distributors bundle gloves with napkins and cutlery, our focus is squarely on disposable protection.

We offer a wide range of gloves because foodservice isn’t one-size-fits-all. A prep cook handling raw meat needs a heavy-duty glove. A sandwich shop employee changing gloves every few minutes needs a lightweight hybrid. We match the glove to the task—helping you avoid overbuying and overspending.

For example, our Digifit gloves are a great match for high-volume environments, while our FineFit2G nitrile line is built for chefs who need precision and sensitivity. And when gloves are used improperly—like not changing them when switching tasks—we offer training tools to support your managers and frontline staff.

During times of market stress, some operators get tempted to cut corners. We get it. But gloves aren’t the place to gamble. We’ve seen what happens when operators go for the lowest price: recalls, negative press, even lawsuits. That’s why we’re here—not just to sell gloves, but to educate and support.

We’re proud that our customers consistently tell us: Elara shows up. We stay in touch, give straight answers, and solve problems. That matters when supply chains get messy.

If you’re feeling the pressure of tariffs and don’t have a clear glove strategy, now is the time to act. Start by evaluating your current glove lineup to ensure you’re using the right glove for each task and not overpaying for options that offer more than you need. Have a conversation with your distributor to confirm they are sourcing from reliable partners and have contingency plans in place. Make sure your team is properly trained on glove usage, since even the best glove won’t be effective if it’s not used correctly. Most importantly, don’t try to navigate this alone—reach out for support and guidance from experts who know the market.

We’re here to help you get it right. We’re always happy to provide samples, answer questions, and help you build a glove strategy that works—no matter what the market throws at you. Reach out to your Elara Sales Representative or contact us directly at [email protected]. You’ll also find product info, training resources, and more at elarabrands.com.