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'Three-second rule' is a myth, says new research
www.telegraph.co.uk ^ | 03-29-2016 | Saffron Alexander

Posted on 03/29/2016 10:40:21 AM PDT by Red Badger

Many of us are familiar with the "ten-second rule" (also known as the five or three-second rule) - accidentally dropping food on the floor, quickly swiping it up and deeming it still safe to eat. But new research has revealed that this practice isn't as hygienic as we'd like to believe.

Researchers suggest that up to a third of us risk our health by eating dirty food as bacteria sticks to food almost instantaneously, meaning many of us could be ingesting household bugs such as E. coli and Salmonella.

The research, from cleaning technology firm Kärcher, found that 37 per cent of us would eat food that had been dropped on the kitchen floor, while 38 per cent said they would eat food off their living room floor.

The research also found that 49 per cent of us only use a broom to clean and 43 per cent rely solely on an air freshener, though neither method is effective at killing bacteria.

A further 59 per cent said they wait till they see visible signs of dirt before they clean, while 27 per cent admitted to waiting for a bad smell before they decide to take action.

Hygienist Dr Lisa Ackerley, said the "silent killers" in our homes can multiply from a single bacterium to several million after seven hours. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: "Regular small bursts of hygienic cleaning is more important than one big spring clean.

"Bacteria and viruses can’t be seen or smelt and are easily destroyed through high temperatures, meaning steam cleaning is perfect."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine; Pets/Animals; Science
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To: central_va

So did a couple of others.....................


101 posted on 03/29/2016 1:10:07 PM PDT by Red Badger (The Left doesn't like him and the Right doesn't like him, so he must be the right guy for the job...)
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To: Bruce Campbells Chin
I generally go with more of a 8-10 hour rule.

If I get it before the cat/dog scarfs it up, it's mine!

102 posted on 03/29/2016 1:21:33 PM PDT by uglybiker (nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-BATMAN!)
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To: Red Badger
Back when the MythBusters were tolerable, they did a piece on this myth.

As expected, hard foods, like a cracker, picked up less bacteria because it's hard, and had less physical contact area, and soft foods, like a slice of salami, had more bacteria by the nature of the contact.

103 posted on 03/29/2016 1:45:57 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
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To: trisham

I lived in Thailand for 3 years, 40 years ago. Not sure the hot sauce really does anything internally. But it does direct your attention as to what’s coming in and going out. Especially the after-burner effect. Woof!


104 posted on 03/29/2016 2:11:41 PM PDT by USMCPOP (Father of LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
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To: USMCPOP

Thai food is delicious.


105 posted on 03/29/2016 2:47:13 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Red Badger
ingesting household bugs such as E. coli and Salmonella

IF E. coli and Salmonella exist where the food fell there is a possibility you will contact such. How did the E. coli and Salmonella happen to be on that spot?

106 posted on 03/29/2016 3:00:02 PM PDT by MosesKnows (Love Many, Trust Few, and Always Paddle Your Own Canoe)
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To: Responsibility2nd

If it’s on the ground, it goes to the hound.


107 posted on 03/29/2016 3:01:01 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Red Badger

I always went with the 2 second rule, because any slower than that and the dog already had it.


108 posted on 03/29/2016 3:04:15 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: FlingWingFlyer
I guess it’s good that we lucked out and had a bunch of “researchers” do a “study” about it.

And they did it out of pure goodness of heart. no ulterior motive whatsoever

The research, from cleaning technology firm Kärcher

109 posted on 03/29/2016 5:34:56 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy ("History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce." - Karl Marx)
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