We’ve all done it -- dropped something on the floor, then picked it up and eaten it. If you are hanging your head in shame for having done it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. A report from Aston University’s School of Life and Health Sciences, as reported by Science Daily, says if you scoop it up in five seconds or less, your food is probably safe.
The report claims that a group of biology students chose to test the safety theory by dropping various foods (biscuits, pasta and toast as well as sticky and sweet items) on three types of floors. They analyzed two common bacteria—E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Their findings should provide some relief to the many who have employed the “5-second” rule. Moist food retrieved within five seconds had fewer bacteria if picked up within 5 seconds than food retrieved at 30 seconds.
For dry foods, there was no difference in bacteria levels at 30 seconds compared to three seconds.
Of the types of flooring, carpet as opposed to tile and laminate posed the lowest risk of bacterial transfer to the fallen food. The cleanliness of the environment is also be a factor in how much and what bacteria might be picked up.
Their obvious conclusion: the faster you pick up moist foods, the fewer bacteria. Dry food doesn’t matter as long as it isn’t on the ground any longer than 30 seconds. And, the most common type of bacteria found were environmental Bacillus and Staphylococci—human skin. Neither one of these is very likely to make anyone sick.
Perhaps, the most interesting item discovered by the group performing the test is the number of people surveyed who said they would eat food dropped on the floor. 87 percent said they would or had eaten dropped food. Of that number 55 percent were women. And, 81 percent of those saying they would eat dropped food claim to follow the 5 second rule.
So, next time your cookie hits the ground, don’t hesitate to grab it and eat it. Chances are good the only thing you are adding to your chocolate chips is a little human skin.