The 5 second Rule

With the 5 second rule, only 5000 American are dying each year from food poisoning. It is reasonable to think that they will be 10000 with the 10 second rule. It is acceptable as long as it is not you.

If food drops on the floor Ruby is the first to get it, so I don't have to worry about 5 or 10 or whatever time.

I think that if it increases to more than ten seconds, then I might just have to learn how to count higher than ten.

It truly depends on the food. If it's vegetables, in the trash it would go. Something nice and tasty, I could count the 1001 Mississippi, 1002 Mississippi, etc.

Until I read the comments I'd no idea what you were talking about

I always felt this rule is variable, it depends on the foot itself (is it dry or a sticky food?) and the floor. Is the floor disgusting? Appear mostly clean?

I have heard 3 seconds and 5 seconds. I don't really think it matters. If the floor is clean (or even if it isn't) it's not likely to make any difference whether you pick up the food after 5 seconds or 30. If I've seen something drop, and I know the floor is clean, I will ignore the rule anyway. Kids do it. They find a 2 month old sweet at the back of the sofa, they don't die from eating it. Of course, if you can see that a floor is dirty, or you don't know how clean it is then I wouldn't eat from it anyway. I would say, if you're comfortable with eating off the floor after however long then do it. If not then don't.

I swear that the males in the house will eat it no matter how long it's been on the floor. But I throw it away. I just can't do it.

We too do not believe in eating what has fallen on floor. But in general, I think reasons for food poisoning in India are lack of hygiene. Second reason we are so over populated is also because the kind of viruses that thrive out here, are different from those that live in your part of world. The ones on your land are really vicious ones. Third reason is our unhygienic habits. I know this sounds strange. But we follow plenty of practices that do not qualify as hygienic practices. We may sweep and mop our homes every day, and even remove our footwear outside, and wash our feet every time we return home. Nevertheless, we are not very careful with washing our hands, drinking mineral water, and cooking in perfectly clean utensils. In the process, our bodies are almost always on alert for some battle or the other, unlike you all. By opting for clean and quality products, you all have quarantined yourselves. In the process, your body does not have the required mechanism, or antibodies to deal with sudden infections. A few risks should be taken. We have a family out here that is extremely clean. But they are also more susceptible to infections.

You really cannot apply that 5 second rule to a hot mug of coffee or even a freshly baked brownie. It can work good for a chocolate or even a mug of cold coffee though

Its fine with me...maybe depending on what it is. I might eat it haha

There is a half a second rule in my house, the dogs are too fast for anything longer than that!

Compared to some of the things I've eaten, I'm way better off licking the floor anyway lol

I seen an experiment on this once. I believe they found it takes 60 seconds for most bacteria to bond to the food. 50 seconds and you're still good! ;) lol

In our household it was always 60 seconds. We didn't stand over it counting down, though!

No, in the trash it goes.

I had no idea what this rule was till I read the comments. Even the teen won't eat food that's been dropped on the floor - mind you it would probably have a coating of sand that he's trailed in the house.

What is the rule? I have no idea LOL

not much goes to waste 'round here 'less the hubs gets 'hold 'f it. he's a most wasteful person :(

I was in a GNC and my mother was with me, the person behind the counter was looking like she was having an off day. My mother said "How about this one with probiotics to increase beneficial bacteria in your gut?" I said "Nah, I don't need it, I use the 5 second rule!" It took a moment for it to register, and then that woman started laughing. She thanked me for making her day much better. After all, bacteria don't need 5 seconds, they attach the instant the food touches something else.