We have all experienced dropping a piece of food on the ground. The question that usually follows is: "Is it still safe to eat food seconds after it falls to the ground?" Some people decide to play it safe while some still pick up the dropped food and eat it.
Good news for those who do the latter. A new experiment conducted by NASA engineer Mark Rober finds that dropped food might still safe to eat if picked up within 30 seconds after being dropped on the floor, according to Medical Daily. However, the texture of the food and the surface where it fell can make a big difference as to the amount of germs that can attach to the dropped food.
"Consuming food dropped on the floor still carries an infection risk as it very much depends on which bacteria are present on the floor at the time; however, the findings of this study will bring some light relief to those who have been employing the five-second rule for years, despite a general consensus that it is purely myth," Aston University School of Life and Health Sciences professor Anthony Hilton said in a press release.
A rug is the best surface to drop food because of its woven surface area which lessens the contact between the food and the surface. Surfaces such as linoleum, tile and laminated surfaces transfer more germs in a much quicker time compared to rugs.
Despite the findings of this experiment, The Conversation has a reminder for those who like eating dropped food. "From a food safety standpoint, if you have millions or more cells on a surface, 0.1% is still enough to make you sick," the article advised. People should also remember that some types of bacteria such as E. coli are very strong that only a small amount of it can make people sick.
