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The "5-Second" Rule; Fact or Fiction?

On the BBC, “Curious Cases” with Prof. Hannah Fry and Dara O’Brienreturn to the perennial topic of the 1/5/30/whatever-second rule for food that has fallen onto the floor. On which side do you “fall” on this argument? It’s also nice to hear Dr. Don Schaffner from the “Risky or Not” podcast chipping in, too. Should you or shouldn’t you…..?

It’s another Politician’s answer for you. In the sanctity of your own home, it depends. According to the panellists, the level of risk (that word always features somewhere) depends on the floor surface (type and cleanliness) and food (moist or dry). Dry toast on a just-cleaned floor….? Or butter-side down after the dogs have just piled through the kitchen after a long walk in the autumnal countryside? Your choice.

For a Commercial environment, the answer is more clear cut; just “NO”. Just don’t do it.