For decades, the so-called five-second rule has been a comfort myth—pick food up quickly and it’s still safe to eat. But food scientists say this popular belief doesn’t hold up under scientific ...

Many people follow the “five-second rule,” but science shows the truth is more about safety than timing. Studies have found that food picks up germs as soon as it hits the floor, regardless of how ...

We’ve never abided by the “five-second rule,” the rule that says if food hasn’t been on the floor longer than five seconds it’s safe to eat. We use a slide rule. We go from five to 10, 15 seconds, or ...