Anyone who’s ever dropped food on the floor has heard of the “five-second rule,” which says that if it’s on the floor for five seconds or less…it’s still good to pick up and eat.
Dr. Sermed Mezher takes serious issue with that concept. Studies show that harmful bacteria, like salmonella, can “live on a floor for up to four weeks” and can spread onto floor food “instantly.” That said, Mezher says some floor surfaces are safer than others:
- On tile surfaces, food can pick up bacteria colonies instantly 99% of the time
- On wood surfaces, that percentage drops to 50% or less
- On carpet, less than one percent of the bacteria transfer instantly
So, if you insist on eating food that’s been dropped on the floor, carpeted flooring is the way to go. Bon Appetit!
Source: TikTok/@DrSermedMezher