diff --git a/Content.Client/Entry/IgnoredComponents.cs b/Content.Client/Entry/IgnoredComponents.cs
index 48d30e0eea..e5ba6ea452 100644
--- a/Content.Client/Entry/IgnoredComponents.cs
+++ b/Content.Client/Entry/IgnoredComponents.cs
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ namespace Content.Client.Entry
             "Anchorable",
             "AmmoBox",
             "Pickaxe",
+            "IngestionBlocker",
             "Interactable",
             "CloningPod",
             "Destructible",
diff --git a/Content.Server/Nutrition/Components/IngestionBlockerComponent.cs b/Content.Server/Nutrition/Components/IngestionBlockerComponent.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6e556d0a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Content.Server/Nutrition/Components/IngestionBlockerComponent.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+using Robust.Shared.GameObjects;
+using Robust.Shared.Analyzers;
+using Robust.Shared.ViewVariables;
+using Robust.Shared.Serialization.Manager.Attributes;
+
+namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Component that denotes a piece of clothing that blocks the mouth or otherwise prevents eating & drinking.
+/// </summary>
+/// <remarks>
+///     In the event that more head-wear & mask functionality is added (like identity systems, or raising/lowering of
+///     masks), then this component might become redundant.
+/// </remarks>
+[RegisterComponent, Friend(typeof(FoodSystem), typeof(DrinkSystem))]
+public class IngestionBlockerComponent : Component
+{
+    public override string Name => "IngestionBlocker";
+
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     Is this component currently blocking consumption.
+    /// </summary>
+    [ViewVariables(VVAccess.ReadWrite)]
+    [DataField("enabled")]
+    public bool Enabled { get; set; } = true;
+}
diff --git a/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/DrinkSystem.cs b/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/DrinkSystem.cs
index cc5af10676..2eb49ef1a1 100644
--- a/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/DrinkSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/DrinkSystem.cs
@@ -263,13 +263,8 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
                 return true;
             }
 
-            if (_foodSystem.IsMouthBlocked(userUid, out var blocker))
-            {
-                var name = EntityManager.GetComponent<MetaDataComponent>(blocker.Value).EntityName;
-                _popupSystem.PopupEntity(Loc.GetString("food-system-remove-mask", ("entity", name)),
-                    userUid, Filter.Entities(userUid));
+            if (_foodSystem.IsMouthBlocked(userUid, userUid))
                 return true;
-            }
 
             var transferAmount = FixedPoint2.Min(drink.TransferAmount, drinkSolution.DrainAvailable);
             var drain = _solutionContainerSystem.Drain(uid, drinkSolution, transferAmount);
@@ -336,13 +331,8 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
                 return true;
             }
 
-            if (_foodSystem.IsMouthBlocked(targetUid, out var blocker))
-            {
-                var name = EntityManager.GetComponent<MetaDataComponent>(blocker.Value).EntityName;
-                _popupSystem.PopupEntity(Loc.GetString("food-system-remove-mask", ("entity", name)),
-                    userUid, Filter.Entities(userUid));
+            if (_foodSystem.IsMouthBlocked(targetUid, userUid))
                 return true;
-            }
 
             EntityManager.TryGetComponent(userUid, out MetaDataComponent? meta);
             var userName = meta?.EntityName ?? string.Empty;
@@ -425,28 +415,4 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
             args.Drink.InUse = false;
         }
     }
-
-    public sealed class ForceDrinkEvent : EntityEventArgs
-    {
-        public readonly EntityUid User;
-        public readonly DrinkComponent Drink;
-        public readonly Solution DrinkSolution;
-
-        public ForceDrinkEvent(EntityUid user, DrinkComponent drink, Solution drinkSolution)
-        {
-            User = user;
-            Drink = drink;
-            DrinkSolution = drinkSolution;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public sealed class ForceDrinkCancelledEvent : EntityEventArgs
-    {
-        public readonly DrinkComponent Drink;
-
-        public ForceDrinkCancelledEvent( DrinkComponent drink)
-        {
-            Drink = drink;
-        }
-    }
 }
diff --git a/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/FoodSystem.cs b/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/FoodSystem.cs
index e85f1df558..9876afd2e1 100644
--- a/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/FoodSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/Nutrition/EntitySystems/FoodSystem.cs
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ using System.Linq;
 using Robust.Shared.Utility;
 using Content.Server.Inventory.Components;
 using Content.Shared.Inventory;
-using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
-using Content.Shared.Tag;
 
 namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
 {
@@ -55,6 +53,7 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
             SubscribeLocalEvent<FoodComponent, GetInteractionVerbsEvent>(AddEatVerb);
             SubscribeLocalEvent<SharedBodyComponent, ForceFeedEvent>(OnForceFeed);
             SubscribeLocalEvent<ForceFeedCancelledEvent>(OnForceFeedCancelled);
+            SubscribeLocalEvent<InventoryComponent, IngestionAttemptEvent>(OnInventoryIngestAttempt);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -139,13 +138,8 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
                 !_bodySystem.TryGetComponentsOnMechanisms<StomachComponent>(userUid, out var stomachs, body))
                 return false;
 
-            if (IsMouthBlocked(userUid, out var blocker))
-            {
-                var name = EntityManager.GetComponent<MetaDataComponent>(blocker.Value).EntityName;
-                _popupSystem.PopupEntity(Loc.GetString("food-system-remove-mask", ("entity", name)),
-                    userUid, Filter.Entities(userUid));
+            if (IsMouthBlocked(userUid, userUid))
                 return true;
-            }
 
             var usedUtensils = new List<UtensilComponent>();
 
@@ -264,13 +258,8 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
                 return true;
             }
 
-            if (IsMouthBlocked(targetUid, out var blocker))
-            {
-                var name = EntityManager.GetComponent<MetaDataComponent>(blocker.Value).EntityName;
-                _popupSystem.PopupEntity(Loc.GetString("food-system-remove-mask", ("entity", name)),
-                    userUid, Filter.Entities(userUid));
+            if (IsMouthBlocked(targetUid, userUid))
                 return true;
-            }
 
             if (!TryGetRequiredUtensils(userUid, food, out var utensils))
                 return true;
@@ -364,7 +353,7 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
             if (!Resolve(uid, ref food) || !Resolve(target, ref body, false))
                 return;
 
-            if (IsMouthBlocked(target, out _))
+            if (IsMouthBlocked(target))
                 return;
 
             if (!_solutionContainerSystem.TryGetSolution(uid, food.SolutionName, out var foodSolution))
@@ -448,62 +437,53 @@ namespace Content.Server.Nutrition.EntitySystems
         }
 
         /// <summary>
-        ///     Is an entity's mouth accessible, or is it blocked by something like a mask? Does not actually check if
-        ///     the user has a mouth. Body system when?
+        ///     Block ingestion attempts based on the equipped mask or head-wear
         /// </summary>
-        public bool IsMouthBlocked(EntityUid uid, [NotNullWhen(true)] out EntityUid? blockingEntity,
-            InventoryComponent? inventory = null)
+        private void OnInventoryIngestAttempt(EntityUid uid, InventoryComponent component, IngestionAttemptEvent args)
         {
-            blockingEntity = null;
+            if (args.Cancelled)
+                return;
 
-            if (!Resolve(uid, ref inventory, false))
-                return false;
+            IngestionBlockerComponent blocker;
 
-            // check masks
-            if (inventory.TryGetSlotItem(EquipmentSlotDefines.Slots.MASK, out ItemComponent? mask))
+            if (component.TryGetSlotItem(EquipmentSlotDefines.Slots.MASK, out ItemComponent? mask) &&
+                EntityManager.TryGetComponent(mask.OwnerUid, out blocker) &&
+                blocker.Enabled)
             {
-                // For now, lets just assume that any masks always covers the mouth
-                // TODO MASKS if the ability is added to raise/lower masks, this needs to be updated.
-                blockingEntity = mask.OwnerUid;
-                return true;
+                args.Blocker = mask.OwnerUid;
+                args.Cancel();
+                return;
             }
 
-            // check helmets. Note that not all helmets cover the face.
-            if (inventory.TryGetSlotItem(EquipmentSlotDefines.Slots.HEAD, out ItemComponent? head) &&
-                EntityManager.TryGetComponent(head.OwnerUid, out TagComponent tag) &&
-                tag.HasTag("ConcealsFace"))
+            if (component.TryGetSlotItem(EquipmentSlotDefines.Slots.HEAD, out ItemComponent? head) &&
+                EntityManager.TryGetComponent(head.OwnerUid, out blocker) &&
+                blocker.Enabled)
             {
-                blockingEntity = head.OwnerUid;
-                return true;
+                args.Blocker = head.OwnerUid;
+                args.Cancel();
+            }
+        }
+
+
+        /// <summary>
+        ///     Check whether the target's mouth is blocked by equipment (masks or head-wear).
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="uid">The target whose equipment is checked</param>
+        /// <param name="popupUid">Optional entity that will receive an informative pop-up identifying the blocking
+        /// piece of equipment.</param>
+        /// <returns></returns>
+        public bool IsMouthBlocked(EntityUid uid, EntityUid? popupUid = null)
+        {
+            var attempt = new IngestionAttemptEvent();
+            RaiseLocalEvent(uid, attempt, false);
+            if (attempt.Cancelled && attempt.Blocker != null && popupUid != null)
+            {
+                var name = EntityManager.GetComponent<MetaDataComponent>(attempt.Blocker.Value).EntityName;
+                _popupSystem.PopupEntity(Loc.GetString("food-system-remove-mask", ("entity", name)),
+                    uid, Filter.Entities(popupUid.Value));
             }
 
-            return false;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public sealed class ForceFeedEvent : EntityEventArgs
-    {
-        public readonly EntityUid User;
-        public readonly FoodComponent Food;
-        public readonly Solution FoodSolution;
-        public readonly List<UtensilComponent> Utensils;
-
-        public ForceFeedEvent(EntityUid user, FoodComponent food, Solution foodSolution, List<UtensilComponent> utensils)
-        {
-            User = user;
-            Food = food;
-            FoodSolution = foodSolution;
-            Utensils = utensils;
-        }
-    }
-
-    public sealed class ForceFeedCancelledEvent : EntityEventArgs
-    {
-        public readonly FoodComponent Food;
-
-        public ForceFeedCancelledEvent(FoodComponent food)
-        {
-            Food = food;
+            return attempt.Cancelled;
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Content.Server/Nutrition/IngestionEvents.cs b/Content.Server/Nutrition/IngestionEvents.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1db57ba3b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Content.Server/Nutrition/IngestionEvents.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+using Content.Server.Nutrition.Components;
+using Content.Shared.Chemistry.Components;
+using Robust.Shared.GameObjects;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+
+namespace Content.Server.Nutrition;
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Raised directed at the consumer when attempting to ingest something.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class IngestionAttemptEvent : CancellableEntityEventArgs
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    ///     The equipment that is blocking consumption. Should only be non-null if the event was canceled.
+    /// </summary>
+    public EntityUid? Blocker = null;
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Raised directed at the food after a successful force-feed do-after.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ForceFeedEvent : EntityEventArgs
+{
+    public readonly EntityUid User;
+    public readonly FoodComponent Food;
+    public readonly Solution FoodSolution;
+    public readonly List<UtensilComponent> Utensils;
+
+    public ForceFeedEvent(EntityUid user, FoodComponent food, Solution foodSolution, List<UtensilComponent> utensils)
+    {
+        User = user;
+        Food = food;
+        FoodSolution = foodSolution;
+        Utensils = utensils;
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Raised directed at the food after a failed force-feed do-after.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ForceFeedCancelledEvent : EntityEventArgs
+{
+    public readonly FoodComponent Food;
+
+    public ForceFeedCancelledEvent(FoodComponent food)
+    {
+        Food = food;
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Raised directed at the drink after a successful force-drink do-after.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ForceDrinkEvent : EntityEventArgs
+{
+    public readonly EntityUid User;
+    public readonly DrinkComponent Drink;
+    public readonly Solution DrinkSolution;
+
+    public ForceDrinkEvent(EntityUid user, DrinkComponent drink, Solution drinkSolution)
+    {
+        User = user;
+        Drink = drink;
+        DrinkSolution = drinkSolution;
+    }
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+///     Raised directed at the food after a failed force-dink do-after.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ForceDrinkCancelledEvent : EntityEventArgs
+{
+    public readonly DrinkComponent Drink;
+
+    public ForceDrinkCancelledEvent(DrinkComponent drink)
+    {
+        Drink = drink;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/base.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/base.yml
index 1fd8f34843..d3c636aee7 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/base.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/base.yml
@@ -41,9 +41,7 @@
         Piercing: 0.95
         Heat: 0.90
         Radiation: 0.25
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   abstract: true
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/helmets.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/helmets.yml
index 80f6d6c27d..0dfcd01d24 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/helmets.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/helmets.yml
@@ -8,9 +8,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/bombsuit.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/bombsuit.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -22,9 +20,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/cosmonaut.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/cosmonaut.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -36,9 +32,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/cult.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/cult.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -79,9 +73,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/light_riot.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/light_riot.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -93,9 +85,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/scaf.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/scaf.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -107,9 +97,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/spaceninja.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/spaceninja.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace # well only partially?
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -121,9 +109,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/syndicate.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/syndicate.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -135,9 +121,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/templar.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/templar.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -160,6 +144,4 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/wizardhelm.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Helmets/wizardhelm.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
\ No newline at end of file
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/misc.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/misc.yml
index 0a4d15f11b..4f3ef5fd51 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/misc.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/misc.yml
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/chickenhead.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/chickenhead.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -55,9 +53,7 @@
       sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/pumpkin.rsi
     - type: Clothing
       sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/pumpkin.rsi
-    - type: Tag
-      tags:
-      - ConcealsFace
+    - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -80,9 +76,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/richard.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/richard.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -94,9 +88,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/skubhead.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/skubhead.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -108,9 +100,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/xenom.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/xenom.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
@@ -122,9 +112,7 @@
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/xenos.rsi
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Head/Misc/xenos.rsi
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingHeadBase
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/welding.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/welding.yml
index 375f3ecebd..ba2ab93044 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/welding.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Head/welding.yml
@@ -4,9 +4,7 @@
   name: welding mask
   abstract: true
   components:
-  - type: Tag
-    tags:
-    - ConcealsFace
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: WeldingMaskBase
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Masks/masks.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Masks/masks.yml
index cb9afb25a7..9112452d8e 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Masks/masks.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/Entities/Clothing/Masks/masks.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Mask/gas.rsi
   - type: BreathMask
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingMaskBase
@@ -21,6 +22,7 @@
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Mask/breath.rsi
   - type: BreathMask
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
 
 - type: entity
   parent: ClothingMaskBase
@@ -69,3 +71,4 @@
   - type: Clothing
     sprite: Clothing/Mask/sterile.rsi
   - type: BreathMask
+  - type: IngestionBlocker
diff --git a/Resources/Prototypes/tags.yml b/Resources/Prototypes/tags.yml
index b9f6328282..ea594aba85 100644
--- a/Resources/Prototypes/tags.yml
+++ b/Resources/Prototypes/tags.yml
@@ -242,7 +242,3 @@
 
 - type: Tag
   id: Write
-  
-# for head wear & masks that cover the face.
-- type: Tag
-  id: ConcealsFace