Is there any truth to the 5-second rule? Scientists FINALLY settle the debate

Debunking the 5-Second Rule: Viral TikTok Video Exposes Food Safety Myth

The notion of the “5-second rule” – the widely held belief that food dropped on the floor is safe to eat if retrieved within five seconds – has been a long-standing debate, particularly in schools and households globally. But is there any scientific basis to this popular food safety myth? A recent viral TikTok video by user @HowDirtyIs aimed to definitively address this question, and the findings deliver unwelcome news for those who subscribe to this purported hygiene practice.

The Experiment: Testing Bacteria Accumulation on Dropped Food

To investigate the validity of the 5-second rule, the TikTok content creator, a scientist, conducted an experiment involving a petri dish and a surface. The experiment meticulously tested varying durations of contact, from a near-instantaneous “0 seconds” to a full minute. The samples were then incubated to allow for bacterial growth, revealing the extent of contamination at each time interval.

Alarming Results: Bacteria Thrives Even in Minimal Time

The outcome was stark: even after a mere five seconds of contact with the surface, the petri dish exhibited hundreds of bacterial colonies. “@HowDirtyIs” concluded, “5 seconds or 60, it’ll be nasty either way,” underscoring that regardless of the duration, immediate bacterial contamination is evident.

Origins of the Myth: From Ancient Rulers to Culinary Personalities

The precise origins of the 5-second rule remain unclear. Some theories trace its beginnings to historical figures like Genghis Khan, the Mongol emperor, who reportedly encouraged consuming food dropped during banquets as a display of abundance and disregard for waste. Others attribute the notion to более contemporary sources, such as chef Julia Child, who, in a televised cooking segment during the 1960s, famously retrieved a fallen pancake and declared it fit to eat.

Detailed Findings Across Time Intervals

Driven by curiosity, @HowDirtyIs proceeded to rigorously examine the extent of contamination at various time intervals.

• 0 Seconds (Immediate Pickup): Even with what was considered a ‘0-second’ drop, representing immediate retrieval, the petri dish showed significant bacterial growth. “Looks like even 0 seconds is too long,” the TikToker observed, highlighting the instantaneous nature of bacterial transfer.
• 5-20 Seconds: The petri dishes exposed for 5 to 20 seconds showed comparable levels of bacterial colonies, indicating no significant increase in contamination within this timeframe compared to the near-instantaneous drop.
• 30 Seconds: A notable escalation in bacterial growth was observed after 30 seconds. The dish cultivated a particularly large colony, humorously labeled the “big boy” by @HowDirtyIs, demonstrating a marked increase in contamination over longer durations.

Public Reactions: Disgust vs. Defiance

Online reactions to the experiment’s findings were varied. Many viewers expressed disgust, with some declaring an end to their adherence to the 5-second rule. Comments included:

• “Only Americans believe this rule. Ain’t no way actual adults could believe it’s not nasty.”
• “Never eating food from the floor again…”
• “Bro ruined my spaghetti,” reflecting a humorous yet horrified realization of potential food contamination.

Conversely, some viewers remained unfazed, even jokingly embracing the added bacteria. Some defiant responses included:

• “Meh. I was doing the 5-second rule throughout my childhood and I’m still healthy.”
• “Another added: ‘I once ate a handful of chocolate chips one by one off the floor, I was fine.'” showcasing a continued belief in personal resilience against foodborne illness, despite the scientific evidence.