The Truth About Dropped Food and the 5-Second Rule...

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The bottom line

Bottom line? The 5-second rule might not be a valid argument for preventing foodborne illnesses. About 48 million people fall victim to foodborne illnesses each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The 5-second rule is a significant oversimplification of what actually happens when bacteria transfer from a surface to a food. Bacteria can contaminate instantaneously," says Schaffner.

Although the study does validate the argument that longer food contact times increase the risk of bacterial transfer, it goes on to say that "other factors including the nature of the food and the surface are of equal or greater importance." Basically that means, play it safe. If you drop your food on the floor, pick it up and throw it away.

For more interesting health news, check out can you be both fat and healthy?