The Incidental Economist

I wrote about this earlier in the week, but it deserves the full court press:

Does anyone really think there’s something magical about five seconds when it comes to food and the floor? There’s a press release out this week (I still can’t find the study) that claims that the five second rule is “real”. It isn’t. If bacteria are going to transfer, they do it fast. Plus, there is no evidence at all that actual health is affected by the time food sits on the floor. Watch Aaron recoil at both bologna and the mangling of science in this week’s episode.

For those of you who came here for references, here are some:

• The press release: Researchers prove the five second rule is real
• Residence time and food contact time effects on transfer of Salmonella Typhimurium from tile, wood and carpet: testing the five-second rule.
• Transfer efficiencies of pesticides from household flooring surfaces to foods.
• Don’t Swallow Your Gum! (by me)

@aaronecarroll

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