Can You Eat Food If It Hits the Floor? Know If You Should Trust The 5-Second Rule Or Toss It Away

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Just when you're enjoying your favourite chocolate doughnut, it suddenly slips from your hand and falls to the ground. What do you do? Toss it in the trash or follow the 5-second rule and go back to munching? For those tempted to go with the latter, have you ever wondered if this rule is a myth or reality and if it could actually have consequences? Well, read further to find out the truth.

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What is the 5-Second Rule?

In simple terms, the 5-second rule gives us the green light to eat food that hits the floor, as long as we pick it up quickly. Scientists, on the other hand, say it's based on the idea that if you grab your dropped food fast enough, the germs on the floor won't have time to transfer onto your food. Which means, if your slice of pizza falls onto the kitchen counter and you snatch it up in seconds, the germs from the floor won't stick to it.

But does that really work? The truth is, any food that hits a surface will pick up some bacteria, whether it's your sandwich falling on the living room rug or your apple rolling onto the supermarket floor. And you can't really tell what kind of bacteria, or how much, might be on that floor.

Can We Practise The 5-Second Rule?

The confusion around the 5-second rule comes from the fact that some surfaces and environments are safer than others, and some foods are less risky to eat after they've hit the floor.

The logic seems simple, less time on the floor means fewer bacteria, right? But a 2016 study from the American Society for Microbiology suggests it's not that simple.

The study points out that the 5-second rule is a pretty big oversimplification. It's not just about how long the food's been on the floor; other factors come into play too. Things like the type of food and what surface it lands on are just as important. So, while the rule might sound reasonable, the reality of bacteria transfer is a lot more complicated than we thought.

They discovered that factors like the moisture level of the food, the surface it lands on, and how long it stays there all play a role in how much bacteria it picks up. For example, foods with high moisture, like watermelon, picked up more germs, while surfaces like carpet transferred fewer bacteria compared to tile or stainless steel. In some cases, bacteria can transfer in under a second!

Risks Involved In Following The 5-Second Rule

So, when it comes to the 5-second rule, the big question is, if you should pick up that dropped cookie or just let it go? Experts have different opinions on this, but one thing they all agree on is how serious foodborne illnesses can be.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that foodborne diseases lead to around 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

It's also important to note that certain groups, such as the elderly, young children, and those with weakened immune systems, are more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.

The most common bacteria and viruses responsible for these illnesses include norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus (staph).

Symptoms of food poisoning often include abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and headaches.

While most of these symptoms will likely resolve on their own, there are times when a foodborne illness can be life-threatening, especially for those at higher risk.

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If you decide to take a chance with the 5-second rule, you might be fine in some situations, especially if you're a healthy adult with a strong immune system. However, there are certain groups who are more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses and should exercise extra caution.

Young children, for example, have developing immune systems that can make them more susceptible to infections. Older adults often have weakened immune defences, making it harder for them to fight off harmful bacteria. Pregnant women are at a higher risk because certain foodborne illnesses can harm both the mother and the unborn child.

People with compromised immune systems, such as those living with chronic conditions, are also at greater risk. For anyone in these higher-risk groups, it's best to play it safe and toss any food that's fallen on the floor. It's a small sacrifice to avoid the potential dangers of foodborne illness.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.