The five-second rule is a myth

Food that falls on the floor immediately absorbs the bacteria in that spot on the floor. Microbes don’t need five seconds to do this. The five-second rule is a myth, according to lab tests. If something falls on a clean, dry floor, you don’t run the risk of getting sick after rinsing.

Where does this claim come from?

If you drop the food and can pick it up within five seconds, you should be able to eat it without any problem. It is about extension famous folk wisdom According to a survey conducted by an American student in 2003: 70% of women and 56% of men apply the rule without thinking twice, when food falls to the floor, at least for cookies and sweets. And I found that when vegetables fall to the ground, respondents are a bit more careful.

The five-second rule was also Tested in a US university lab for Microbiology. First they examined the microbes on Earth and it turns out that it’s not that bad: almost nothing. Repeat the test on different types of tiles.

Then they tossed cookies and gummy bears on the floor and checked for bacteria before and after the fall. The floor tiles were first sterilized and then they applied Escherichia coli bacteria (which can also be found in the gut and can be well studied). They dropped 25 grams of cookies or bears on those tiles, then picked them up at different intervals: immediately, after a few seconds, five seconds, ten seconds, etc.

In all cases, bacteria were present on the candy: Always the same amount as if it was taken immediately. Scientists have decided that the five-second rule is a myth.

What do we know now?

The five-second rule is firmThis is clear from the survey, although we can’t find exactly how many people the student questioned. It is also It is not clear who came up with this rule†

The five-second rule has been researched many times and published in high-profile trade journals. All these studies came to the conclusion that The five-second rule is meaningless†

Can you still eat the food that fell on the floor? It depends on the food and the land. The Substance Where food ends up in your home may be less clean or even dirty. Bacteria on dropped food almost always goes away, even if you pick up the food within a second. does not contain Dry floors much less pathogenic bacteriasuch as E. Coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, from wet floors, because these bacteria live only in a humid environment.

Moreover, the nature food Role. Can you rinse it well or not, and can you still pick it up? A spoonful of ice cream on your kitchen floor is always a lost cause.

Conclusion

Food that falls on the floor immediately absorbs the bacteria in that spot on the floor. Microbes don’t need five seconds to do this. The five-second rule is a myth, according to lab tests. If something falls on a clean, dry floor, you don’t run the risk of getting sick after rinsing.