In foodservice and food processing, employees work around sharp tools and equipment every day. From slicing and trimming to portioning, prep work, and processing, protecting workers’ hands is an important part of maintaining a safer and more productive operation.
But effective hand protection isn't just about choosing a glove with a high cut rating. Workers need protection they can actually wear throughout the day—without sacrificing comfort, dexterity, hygiene, or the ability to perform the job efficiently.
That’s why Golden Protective Services is continuing to improve the C9® Cut Resistant Glove.
Beginning in 2027, the C9® will move from ANSI A7 to ANSI A9 cut resistance, providing an even higher level of cut protection for foodservice and food processing workers.
From 4,700 Grams to 6,500 Grams of Cut Resistance
The C9® has continued to demonstrate improved cut resistance through ongoing product development and performance testing.
Previously, the C9® tested at approximately 4,700 grams of cut resistance, placing it within the ANSI A7 classification. Recent performance testing has reached approximately 6,500 grams of cut resistance, moving the C9® into the ANSI A9 classification.
That is an improvement of approximately 1,800 grams of cut resistance.
For workers handling knives, blades, sharp equipment, and other cutting hazards, that increase provides an important additional level of protection.
For employers, it also provides an opportunity to strengthen hand protection programs with a glove specifically designed around the needs of the food industry.
What Does Moving from ANSI A7 to ANSI A9 Mean?
ANSI cut levels provide a standardized way to measure and compare a glove's resistance to cutting forces. Higher ANSI cut levels correspond to greater measured cut resistance.
The move from A7 to A9 means the C9® has demonstrated substantially higher cut resistance during performance testing.
While no cut-resistant glove can eliminate every injury risk, selecting appropriate PPE can help reduce exposure to common workplace hazards. Gloves should always be used as part of a complete safety program that includes proper training, safe work practices, and appropriate equipment.
For food industry operations, the C9® upgrade offers another way to strengthen protection for employees working in demanding cutting environments.
Designed Around Real Food Industry Applications
Foodservice and food processing environments present their own challenges when it comes to PPE.
A glove may provide excellent protection, but workers also need to be able to grip tools, handle products, complete repetitive tasks, and move efficiently throughout a shift. Hygiene and cleaning requirements add another layer of consideration.
The C9® was developed with these working conditions in mind.
It can be used across a variety of food industry applications where cut hazards are present, including commercial kitchens, meat and poultry processing, produce preparation, commissaries, food production facilities, institutional kitchens, and other high-volume operations.
Whether an employee is portioning meat, preparing produce, handling sharp tools, or performing other cutting tasks, the goal is to provide protection that works alongside the employee rather than getting in the way.
More Than Cut Protection
The C9® isn't designed around a single feature. It combines high-level cut resistance with practical features that matter in food environments.
The C9® offers:
- ANSI A9 cut resistance beginning in 2027
- Approximately 6,500 grams of tested cut resistance
- 10-gauge construction
- Food-contact compliant materials
- PFAS-free construction
- Antimicrobial protection
- Machine-washable design
- Touchscreen compatibility
- Sizes XXS through XXL
Together, these features make the C9® a versatile option for companies looking for a cut-resistant glove that can meet the practical demands of foodservice and food processing.
Protection That Can Keep Up With the Workday
Food industry employees rarely perform just one task throughout a shift. A worker may move between prep, processing, equipment, cleaning, storage, and other responsibilities.
That makes usability an important part of PPE selection.
The C9® is designed to provide substantial cut protection while remaining practical for everyday use. Its machine-washable construction can support cleaning and reuse programs, while touchscreen compatibility can be helpful in facilities where employees interact with digital equipment or screens during their work.
Antimicrobial protection also helps support the hygiene demands associated with food environments.
These details may seem small individually, but together they help create a glove that is designed for the realities of the workplace.
Supporting Safer Food Operations
Hand injuries can affect more than the individual employee. An injury can interrupt production, create staffing challenges, affect productivity, and introduce additional concerns in environments where food safety is critical.
That is why hand protection should be considered as part of the larger safety picture.
The C9® upgrade gives food industry operations another tool for supporting employees working around cut hazards. By combining increased cut resistance with food-industry-focused features, the glove can help companies build stronger PPE programs without losing sight of comfort and everyday usability.
The Next Generation of C9® Protection
The move from ANSI A7 to ANSI A9 in 2027 represents an important step forward for the C9®.
Cut resistance has improved from approximately 4,700 grams to 6,500 grams—an increase of approximately 1,800 grams—while the C9® continues to offer the features that make it well suited for foodservice and food processing environments.
For companies already using the C9®, the upgrade means an even higher level of cut protection from a familiar glove. For operations evaluating their current hand protection program, it provides another reason to take a closer look at what the C9® can offer.
At Golden Protective Services, our focus is on providing safety solutions built around the demands of the food industry—from the people preparing and processing food to the operations responsible for keeping employees protected.
C9® is moving forward. From ANSI A7 to ANSI A9. Higher cut protection for the workers who depend on it every day.