We always knew that the ‘five second rule’ was a legitimate rule, but now it looks like we have scientific confirmation.

Featured Image VIA

A germ expert, professor Anthony Hilton from Aston University, has announced that food that has been dropped on the floor is safe to eat under the ‘five second rule’. This is because (as we all predicted) the food doesn’t spend enough time on the surface to pick up any harmful germs.

Professor Hilton will even be demonstrating how the five second rule works at The Big Bang Fair, which opens this week in Birmingham. Here’s what he had to say:

Eating food that has spent a few moments on the floor can never be entirely risk-free.

Obviously, food covered in visible dirt shouldn’t be eaten, but as long as it’s not obviously contaminated, the science shows that food is unlikely to have picked up harmful bacteria from a few seconds spent on an indoor floor.

That is not to say that germs can’t transfer from the floor to the food.

Our research has shown that the nature of the floor surface, the type of food dropped on the floor and the length of time it spends on the floor can all have an impact on the number that can transfer.

Image VIA

Meanwhile, Paul Jackson, organiser of The Big Bang Fair, said:

This is a simple example of how science is present in everyday life.

From testing how safe food is to inventing new food and drink, the limits of how we can apply science and engineering are endless.

So there you have it – next time someone grimaces as you pick up your sticky jam toast slice from the dog-hair ridden floor, just tell them that professor Anthony Hilton, germ expert, says it’s totally hygienic. You’ll make them look a right fool…

For more food-related habits, check out this monster who actually dips her pizza in milk. Just NO.