Germs take at least five seconds to get through the food. So, if the food drops on the floor, just pick it up within five seconds. It will be safe. The researchers at the University of Illinois also confirmed the Five-Second theory.
However, they say that sticky food picks up bacteria faster than dry food. In addition, The Five-second rule possibly applies to tile and hardwood floors only. The theory does not apply in the case of carpets. If you take time to pick the food from any kind of surface, try to clear germs by gusting it, you are just killing your time and inviting germs to your body.
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