It has happened to all of us- shoving a handful of popcorn in your mouth, it falls on the floor. So you snatch it up, quickly blow it off and eat it while calling out five-second rule. Whether it’s a way to convince everyone you’re civilized, or you use it as an incantation to ward of any sickness, the meaning is the same: If food hits the floor and you snatch it up in less than five seconds, it’s safe to eat.” However, the food that you just popped in your mouth, is it really safe to eat? Should we wash off the dropped food or just throw it away? The five second rule has actually been put to the scientific test. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, scientist doused the floor surfaces (tile, wood, and carpet)
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In a latest study, published online in Applied and Environmental Microbiology in September 2016, researchers from Rutgers University dropped four foods (watermelon, plain bread, buttered bread, and hard gummy candy) onto four surfaces (stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood, and carpet) that were contaminated with bacteria and then allowed to dry. They allowed the foods to stay in contact with the surface for four periods—less than one second, five seconds, 30 seconds, and 300 seconds (5 minutes). Each scenario was tested 20 times. Watermelon became most contaminated at all time intervals, while the fewest bacteria transferred to the gummy candy. Once again, carpet had the lowest transfer rates. The study’s conclusion: “Although we show that longer contact times result in more transfer, we also show that other factors including the nature of the food and the surface are of equal or greater importance. Some transfer takes place ‘instantaneously’ at times less than one second, disproving the 'five-second rule.' “
The bottom line is to use common sense. Although our gastrointestinal system is pretty efficient at killing off germs, you can never tell when a telltale salmonella bug is wandering around on the floor. Better safe than sorry. Make it the no-second
In a latest study, published online in Applied and Environmental Microbiology in September 2016, researchers from Rutgers University dropped four foods (watermelon, plain bread, buttered bread, and hard gummy candy) onto four surfaces (stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood, and carpet) that were contaminated with bacteria and then allowed to dry. They allowed the foods to stay in contact with the surface for four periods—less than one second, five seconds, 30 seconds, and 300 seconds (5 minutes). Each scenario was tested 20 times. Watermelon became most contaminated at all time intervals, while the fewest bacteria transferred to the gummy candy. Once again, carpet had the lowest transfer rates. The study’s conclusion: “Although we show that longer contact times result in more transfer, we also show that other factors including the nature of the food and the surface are of equal or greater importance. Some transfer takes place ‘instantaneously’ at times less than one second, disproving the 'five-second rule.' “
The bottom line is to use common sense. Although our gastrointestinal system is pretty efficient at killing off germs, you can never tell when a telltale salmonella bug is wandering around on the floor. Better safe than sorry. Make it the no-second