The Five-Second Rule: Science or Myth?
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We have all heard this rule: if you pick up food from the floor within five seconds, the bacteria don't have time to reach it. Many people in Israel and around the world believe this rule and therefore do not throw away food that has fallen. But microbiology experts say that this rule is not correct.
According to the experts, bacteria can transfer to food almost immediately after contact with a contaminated surface. The time the food spends on the floor is not the main factor. Therefore, the important question is not how many seconds the food was on the floor, but what the condition of the floor and of the food itself was.
There are also other factors that affect the amount of bacteria that transfer to food. A wet or dirty surface can transfer more bacteria than a dry and clean surface. In addition, moist or soft food generally picks up more bacteria than dry and hard food. Various studies have shown that the results vary according to the type of surface and the type of food.
In summary, according to microbiology experts, the five-second rule is not based on science. It is worth paying attention to the cleanliness of the place and the type of food before eating something that has fallen. It is especially important to be careful when the food is intended for children or for people with a weakened immune system.
Sources: היום
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