Most of us are familiar with the 5-second rule, which states that if you drop your food on the ground, it is safe to eat it as long as you pick it up before five seconds is up. It’s unclear where this “rule” came from, but is there any truth to it?
Well, Molly Goettsche and Nicole Moin, two biology students from Connecticut College put this axiom to the test. In a series of experiments, they dropped everything from apple slices to Skittles on the floor and measured how long it took before dangerous bacteria made the food unsafe to eat. The result?
You can wait up to 30 seconds to pick up and eat “wet” foods and even longer for dry foods. And with Skittles? They can last up to five minutes until they show a bacterial presence.
Here’s a handy chart from the food bloggers at SFWeekly to provide you with guidance in this matter:
Happy eating!
These findings doesn’t say much for female Connecticut College biology students (or their opinion of “safe” is very generous). Popular Science Magazine came out with their test last summer noting that even before you count to 5, food accumulates a good set of bacteria.
But, who am I to judge people who like eating e. coli?
Seattle will be glad to here it. They love spoiled food.
I don’t care what kind of food it is, how long it has been on the floor, or how clean the floor is. If it drops, I don’t eat it.
what happens if you drop your food directly onto a turd? is there a time limit for that or is it an automatic game over?
Ew, ew, EWWW! Roger, I don’t think I want to know the kind of places you eat at.
asian ones…
[...] blog reminded me of a story that A.C. Lyles told at a function I attended once. A. C. Lyles is a [...]
Roger, Sung is obviously our resident poop expert so maybe he can answer.
Since I’m asian and no shoes are allowed in the house, if I drop something in the kitchen and eat it, the only thing it’ll pick up is foot fungus and ringworm. Tasty!
Vicodin….
Vicodin. Vicodin pictures. Vicodin half life. Vicodin detox. Vicodin addiction….