When you drop food on the floor, it’s generally OK to pick it up and eat it, according to this article from ScienceDaily. You knew this already, considering how you act when no one is watching!
The Five-Second Rule disproved
- Post author:Erich Vieth
- Post published:September 29, 2007
- Post category:Food / Science
- Post comments:2 Comments
Erich Vieth
Erich Vieth is an attorney focusing on civil rights (including First Amendment), consumer law litigation and appellate practice. At this website often writes about censorship, corporate news media corruption and cognitive science. He is also a working musician, artist and a writer, having founded Dangerous Intersection in 2006. Erich lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his two daughters.
Very true, I admit it. I pick stuff up off the floor and eat it as long as I don't think I'm being watched by anyone who might be horrified. I'd like to suggest that we all stop being horrified and then we wouldn't have to waste good food, but in the mean time, the 'five second rule' makes a good excuse around company 🙂
As someone who is well-versed in the finer points of cleanliness in restaurants… I also use the 5-hour rule.