5-Second Rule Crushed In Bacteria-Packed Experiment

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India-West News Desk

CHICAGO, IL – We’ve all been there—a tasty snack slips from your plate and lands on the floor. It’s frustrating, especially in the middle of a good meal. And in that moment of hesitation, many people turn to the age-old “five-second rule,” believing food is still safe if picked up quickly. But is it really?

To find out, Nicholas Aicher, a senior quality control analyst from Chicago, decided to put the rule to the test. Known for his viral microbiology experiments on TikTok, Aicher regularly swabs public surfaces—like TSA bins, movie theater seats, and gas station pumps—to reveal what kinds of bacteria are lurking where.

In response to a follower’s request, Aicher placed sterile petri dishes on the floor for varying durations—anywhere from zero to sixty seconds. He then incubated the samples to observe bacterial growth. The results were surprising: every sample, even the one that touched the floor for less than a second, developed white bacterial spots.

“Looks like even zero seconds is too long,” Aicher commented, sharing the results with his audience.

Supporting his findings, Professor Donald Schaffner of Rutgers University pointed to similar research he had conducted. “Bacteria don’t have legs—they travel with moisture,” Schaffner explained. “The wetter the food, the higher the risk. And longer contact time only increases the chances of contamination.”

So, the next time something tasty hits the floor, think twice before trusting the five-second rule. According to science, there’s no safe window—just a hard truth.