five second rule

[lvstephanie]

I read an article about it and even though sometimes I still go by the rule, they say you shouldn't.  Studies show it picks up germs the second the item hits the floor.

That's true, but food will also pick up germs the second it hits the counter-top, the chopping board, your plate even. Germs are everywhere, unless you are working in an aseptic environment. People don't have HEPA filtered air blowing across their kitchen counters, don't spritz them with alcohol and / or bleach immediately before using those surfaces, nor do they wear sterile gloves that have also been spritzed with alcohol. In fact, a lot of people that spill food on the counter may just grab a kitchen rag to wipe it up, leaving behind microscopic food particles and maybe even microbes that had been growing on the rag / sponge since the last time it was used to clean up a spill. In that case, the counter-tops are far from a sterile environment.

The question is what germs are they picking up... Most surface germs are harmless and may actually be beneficial in that they can build up your immunity towards something a little more dangerous. For example, if you walk on your kitchen floor with socks (so no chance of stray fecal matter from your neighbor's dog), you don't have pets or messy children, and you keep the floor relatively clean (ie sweep the floor every so often), it may actually be better to use an item that fell on the floor than one that fell on the counter-top where there is many more food particles that'd grow harmful bacteria. Now in a restaurant where there is a lot of foot traffic in shoes that could've picked up germs from anywhere, then no go for the 5-sec rule.

[Tresbn00]

It really depends on the item dropped, the surface that it hits and the location I am at. If it is a moist item(popsicle/lollipop) I would be hard pressed to employ any motion in placing it back in my mouth. If it were a hard item that wouldn't retain germs (m and m/oreo cookie) I would give it a minute and put it in my mouth. If it hit my floor I wouldn't have a problem because my house is clean...If it hit my sister's house (who has 4 dogs) I wouldn't touch it with rubber gloves. Homes are safer than gas stations and malls and warrant my rules in eating much faster.

[mh874892]

I will only eat off the floor if it is at mine or my family's house, and then it even depends on the food. And if it has a hair in/on it, then NO WAY! I am not as bad as my sister when it comes to hair (she automtically gags and won't eat anymore), but it still grosses me out. But I usually play the 3 second rule, not 5.

[CarrieJoP]

Depends on what fell on the ground....if its something i really want then YES 5 sec

My aunt use to tell me God made dirt dirt dont hurt

[manicamarketing]

Haha.  No I do not believe in the 5 second rule nor follow it.  If food fell on the floor I would not pick it up and eat it unless I was absolutely starving and it was a life or death situation or I could wash it again (apple, banana, etc.).  I do know some of my friends follow the 5 second rule and they act like its no big deal at all.  I think one part of this for me is that usually anything that falls on the floor the dog gets. 

[anubabs]

it depends mehn....if its something i know i might not get again for another long long time i'll take it.

[jski107]

A little dirt never hurt!

[bgman80]

Only in my own house or my mothers house.

[SCarter984]

I read an article about it and even though sometimes I still go by the rule, they say you shouldn't.  Studies show it picks up germs the second the item hits the floor.

Absolutely!  If it hit the floor, I ain't eatin' it!

[Peds]

On occasion I'll follow this but only if it dropped on a table/ counter and I usually wash it off afterwards

[monnee]

Yes, I follow the rule or you'll get sick and you'll know why you got sick in the first place if you didn't follow the rule.

[mattbible]

Yes, depends on where it lands.  If it were my high school floor, absolutely not.  The janitors cleaned the floors maybe twice a year. 

[bigfoot951]

depends on two things.  1) where you are-the cleanliness of the floor.  2)the food that was dropped-how hard is it to let it go.

[Ittai]

lol..lmao...i may do the 5 sec depending on wat and where