The 5 Second Rule? Fact or Fiction? (I hope that’s not copyrighted from Ripley’s).

Jillian Clarke, a senior at Chicago H.S. for Agricultural Science says “The 5 Second rule can be applied.” She tested the rule for a summer internship. Food was dropped onto floors, 5 seconds was elapsed, and the amount of microorganisms on the floor and food was determined. The floors tested were at the University of Illinois near vending machines, in the library, computer lab, and cafeteria. So, the moral of the story, if you are ever at the UI, don’t worry about dropping any food. “But, if there is known E. coli or something on the floor, use common sense and don’t eat any food dropped there,” reminds Miss Clarke.

Where did rule start?

Origin is difficult to pinpoint, but a similar reference dates back to Genghis Kang, the creator of the Mongol Empire. He didn’t believe in wasting food, so he had a 20 hour rule (MSNBC commentary: “Shows how fast paced our society has gotten, 20 hours down to 5 seconds.”