Is There Any Truth To The ‘5-Second Rule’?

In households, restaurant kitchens, and almost anywhere people prepare or consume food, you’ll occasionally hear someone call out the “five-second rule.” If food hits the floor or ground and you snatch it up in less than five seconds, it’s safe to eat.” Is the food really safe? Or should we throw it away or wash it off? WebMD talked to experts to find out what you should consider before swallowing this rule whole.

Yes, someone really has conducted a scientific study of the five-second rule. It was the project of Jillian Clarke during a six-week internship in the food science and nutrition department at the University of Illinois. Cookies and gummi bears were placed on both rough and smooth sterile tiles covered with measured amounts of E. coli. They did see a transfer of germs before five seconds,” a large number of cells. People are inclined to eat dropped cookies and candy more often than dropped broccoli and cauliflower.

Some experts say you should never eat food that’s fallen on the floor. At least, wash it first,” as “Bacteria are all over the place. It also depends on if the food is moist or dry, dry will pick up hair and dust. Remember you’re walking on a floor with shoes that have been outside on sidewalks at stores or the mall, you bringing all that in with you. The take-home message is that floors are generally clean if you keep them that way, outside sidewalks or pavement should be avoided at all costs, but if there are microorganisms present, they will transfer in less than five seconds, so eat at your own risk…..Ed

Source: Leanna SkarnulisWEBMD/Photo:solidsnake4545