If you’ve ever dropped a piece of food on the floor, you’ve likely heard of the “five-second rule.” The idea is that if you pick up the food within five seconds, it’s still safe to eat.

However, new research suggests that this rule is nothing but a myth.

What Is the Five-Second Rule?

The five-second rule is a popular myth that suggests that if you drop food on the floor and pick it up within five seconds, it’s still safe to eat.

The idea behind this rule is that it takes time for germs and bacteria to transfer from the floor to the food, so if you pick up the food quickly, you can avoid ingesting any harmful bacteria.

The rule has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until recently that scientists started to put it to the test.

New Research Debunks the Myth

A study carried out in 2016 found that the five-second rule is a myth – there is no “safe” amount of time to leave food on the floor before it becomes contaminated with bacteria.

The study was conducted by researchers at Rutgers University. They used a variety of foods (like watermelon, bread, and gummy candy) to test how quickly bacteria transferred from the floor to the food.

They found that germs can stick to food almost instantly, regardless of how long it’s been on the floor.

Their findings were published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. The study concluded that food that has been dropped on the floor will almost always pick up bacteria, regardless of how quickly it’s picked up.

Why the Five-Second Rule Doesn’t Work

There are a few reasons why the five-second rule doesn’t work. Consider the following:.

Floors are dirty. Even if you have just cleaned your floors, they are likely to have some bacteria on them. And if you’re in a public place, the floors are probably even dirtier.
Moisture matters. Wet foods (like a piece of watermelon) are more likely to pick up bacteria than dry foods (like a cracker).
The surface matters. Bacteria are more likely to stick to porous surfaces (like carpets) than non-porous surfaces (like tile).
You can’t see the germs. Just because you can’t see the bacteria on the floor doesn’t mean they aren’t there. In fact, there could be millions of bacteria on the floor that you can’t see.

What You Should Do Instead

So if the five-second rule is a myth, what should you do if you drop food on the floor? Here are a few tips:.

Throw it away. If the food has been on the floor for any amount of time, it’s best to just throw it away. It’s not worth the risk of getting sick.
Clean it up. If the food is something that can be cleaned (like a piece of fruit), wash it off thoroughly before eating it.
Be mindful of where you eat. Try not to eat in places where the floors are likely to be dirty (like a public restroom or next to a trash can).
Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and keep your food preparation area clean to reduce the risk of getting sick.

The Bottom Line

While the five-second rule may seem like a harmless myth, new research suggests that it’s not worth risking your health over. Instead, be mindful of where you eat, practice good hygiene, and throw away any food that has been dropped on the floor.