New study has scientists re-examining the “five second” rule
Posted July 19, 2010 8:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Those who follow the “five second” rule concerning eating food after it has fallen on the floor may want to rethink their snacking behaviour.
According to a new study completed by a scientist based in South Carolina, bacteria such as salmonella can live on a dry surface for up to four weeks. As a result, any food which falls on an affected surface will automatically be contaminated with the bacteria.
When asked their thoughts about a “zero second” rule, pedestrians at Yonge and Bloor did not appear overly concerned.
“If it’s outside, I’m not going to pick it up and eat it. If it’s in the privacy of my home, maybe on the kitchen floor, or something like that – that I know is clean, sure,” Emily told 680News, adding that she disinfects her own floors.
However, research also shows that the actual surface matters more than the time. For example, a sidewalk peppered with soil is relatively safer to eat off of than the kitchen floor, as the kitchen floor contains bacteria from uncooked meat and chicken juices. But when compared to a bathroom floor, the answer is obvious.
Meanwhile, Bonnie said she does not concern herself with the rules.
“[I] dropped … gum in the car this morning, and I bent over and picked it up and chewed it,” she said, while the action resulted in her rear-ending the car in front of her.
“Maybe that’s why our kids nowadays are allergic to everything. When we were kids, we just ate anything and everything, and we were fine.”
In the future, she said she “would take a look around first” before she eats it, just in case others are watching. However, she added that a “zero second” rule may have prevented the fender bender in the first place.
