A new poll has found Brits are happy to embrace the ‘five second rule’ when it comes to eating food that has dropped on the floor – and the reason might surprise you
Research has found that Brits are willing to eat food that has fallen on the floor, as long as it’s been there for no more than six seconds. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 73% would happily consume food that had fallen onto the floor but only if they could pick it up swiftly enough.
Biscuits, toast and chips were all deemed perfectly acceptable to eat after a fall, along with sweets, strawberries and sausage rolls. Yet, 57% wouldn’t revisit a dropped ice cream cone, and 52% would immediately bin a knob of butter or baked bean that had hit the deck. Scrambled eggs, curry and mashed potato also made the ‘no-go’ list.
The research indicated that 27% would never eat anything that had fallen to the floor. However, 45% adhere to the time-honoured ‘five-second rule’ when it comes to dropped food with 28% following it most of the time.
Nearly half of the respondents say they don’t want the food to go to waste, while 40% explained they would eat off the floor if it appeared clean.
A more honest, 39% said they believe ‘a little bit of dirt won’t hurt’, some 35% even expressed confidence in their immune system to keep them healthy. Interestingly, more than one in 10 think that ‘germs can’t move that fast’ anyway.
Gok Wan, who is collaborating with Bosch, creators of the Unlimited 10 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner which commissioned the study, said: “Our survey shows dropped food doesn’t have to mean wasted food, but it all depends on where it lands and how clean your floor is.
“We’ve all had that moment where something delicious slips through our fingers, and sometimes, it’s just too good to let go. But if you could see what’s actually on your floor, you might think twice.”
Despite this, the survey revealed that 66% consider the floors in their home to be clean, although 24% were more modest, describing their cleanliness level as ‘average’.
Three out of every ten parents would allow their children to eat food off the floor, with 23% citing the ‘five second rule’ as something they learned from their own childhood.
A spokesperson for Bosch commented: “It’s fascinating to see just how many people still follow the five-second rule.
“But with busy households, pets, and daily life, floors aren’t always as clean as they seem-especially when it comes to microscopic dirt and hidden germs we can’t see.
“For those who often rescue fallen snacks, keeping floors clean can make it feel like less of a gamble.”
