Whew! The Five-Second Rule Is Real!

Let's all eat off the floor together!

03.14.2014 | Matt Fox |

It’s an age-old question that’s been debated by scientists for decades now:

Is The Five-Second Rule for real?

You know The Five-Second Rule. It’s that classic urban legend that says food dropped on the floor is still “safe” to eat, as long as you pick it up before the passage of–you guessed it–five seconds. It’s based on reports that germs take at least six seconds to transfer from one surface to another. Well now, a new study conducted by final-year Biology students at Aston University in Birmingham, England, has concluded that this is, in fact, a legit claim! What a relief!

On the heels of their in-depth probe, they report the following:

Time is a significant factor in the transfer of bacteria from a floor surface to a piece of food.
The type of flooring the food has been dropped on has an effect, with bacteria least likely to transfer from carpeted surfaces and most likely to transfer from laminate or tiled surfaces to moist foods making contact for more than 5 seconds.

Hallelujah! Now we can all feel free to chow down on that delicious floor-spiced bagel, right?

Well, maybe not. This may provide some new “scientific evidence” that Five-Second Rule proponents can point to as they munch on a mouthful of Linoleum-Flavored Nachos…but there will always remain others who will never be convinced. Consider this Clemson University study conducted back in 2007:

So, the new Aston study will undoubtedly have its detractors…and that means it’s up to you to decide whether a Bologna and Hardwood Sandwich is something you want in your life. Some of the other interesting findings from the new study:

87% of people surveyed said they would eat food dropped on the floor, or already have done so.
55% of those that would, or have, eaten food dropped in the floor are women.
81% of the women who would eat food from the floor would follow the 5 second rule.

Well played, Aston students. Well played. Using women to further the cause, when here I had always thought this was exclusively a man’s game. Truly genius.

Now, take 6 minutes out of your day to watch George Carlin wax poetic about germs:

Then, take five seconds to write your snappiest comment below.

Matt Fox

Senior Editor

Fox has history in broadcasting that spans two decades. From his early days as an FM host and club DJ in the mid-90′s to his later experiences in political talk radio, he has always had a knack for combining topical news with his love for popular culture. Those experiences culminated in his position as executive producer for several radio shows featured in the TALKERS Heavy 100. Originally from New York, Fox has made the great pilgrimage down to sunny south Florida.

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