Throw away food that has fallen on the floor or not at all. The 5-second law says that you can take advantage of it as long as you do not spend more than that time in contact with the surface, but it is not true. Even if they have to be disposed of, it is best to minimize the presence of germs and bacteria with G2 Green’s range of HA (Hygiene Alinentary) standard biocides.
Even Murphy’s Law says so. Everyone knows it… If something can go wrong, it will go wrong or what is the same thing… The probability of a slice of bread spread falling from the butter side down is proportional to the price of the carpet. Funny, many people may identify with the situation, but such a statement has no scientific basis. So, the first thing to know is that this Murphy has nothing to do with the law of gravity or anything like that. In fact, it tries to emulate it, but with a difference. More than concrete answers, he seeks to provoke laughter.
Whether or not it falls on the butter side, a report published in 2006 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology confirmed that a single millisecond on a surface contaminated with E. coli is enough time for it to transfer to the toast.
In reality, statistically the probability should be 50%. Much more serious are the studies that try to contradict it. Without going any further, Matthews’ work earned him an Ig Nobel, a prize for research that first makes you laugh and then makes you think. Thus, he proved that it was not a matter of luck but a consequence of a single factor, the height of the table. Not even the amount of butter or weight has an influence. Normally of the 90 centimeters that separate it. Distance and time in which it is not possible for it to make a 360º turn and since before falling it is always supported by the smeared side… There is the demonstration.
Bacteria and the 5-second rule
Funny, but completely false. However, what no one says in all these theories is what to do with the toast once it is picked up from the ground. That is, if it can be eaten or if, on the contrary, it should be immediately discarded. So, things get interesting because this is where another curious and famous rule comes into play, the 5-second rule. Probably one of the most widespread myths about cleaning. The strong popular belief that suggests that if a food or object falls on the ground, it can be picked up within 5 seconds and still be safe to use or ingest if it is food. The same thing happens because it is not true either, and to understand it, three variables must be taken into account: time, type of food and type of soil.
There’s more because other research from Aston University in the UK showed that food left on the floor for 5 seconds picked up up to 10 times more bacteria than those left on the floor for just 1 second.
- Time: Once again, time is money. The sooner the better, however, too fast may not be fast enough. Just a millisecond is enough, and that is not counting the most likely scenario, which is that the countertop on which it rested is also contaminated. Germs can survive on any surface for a long time. Thus, the food will pick up more bacteria the longer the exposure time. 5 seconds may be too long.
- Food type: It is also safe to say that scientists have tried everything. Watermelon, bread, Murphy’s toast, bologna, jelly beans and the winner was… fruit! More bacteria in less time. For this reason, some people think that the flattest and wettest food is the most contaminated. This is not entirely true, because other research hypothesizes that the key is on the surface. That is, both the food and the one on which it falls.
- Floor type: wood, tiles and carpets not only harbor germs, but can also be transferred quickly by contact. Thus, without a doubt, it can be concluded that beyond time or food, the key is in the soil, but not in the type of surface, but in the amount of germs it has. In this sense, it is important to insist that a floor that appears clean does not necessarily have to be disinfected.
Thus, another study by researchers at Rutgers University in the United States found that hard surfaces, such as tiles and stainless steel, can carry more bacteria and germs than soft surfaces such as carpets.
Other false myths about germs and bacteria
In the end, it can be dangerous and the worst thing is that it is not the only myth that relates cleaning to germs and bacteria such as, bleach is the best for everything, when in fact it is not suitable for certain surfaces, although there is no doubt that it is a powerful disinfectant. The same applies to hot water. Very effective, but leather or wood, for example, do not do so well. Then there is
the scouring pads
or that the ideal is to
to dry the dishes with a cloth
. All false. Bleach, alcohol, vinegar… each has its application and none of them should be the cleaning joker. For this reason, and in order to eliminate all types of bacteria and minimize their impact, no matter how the toast falls, G2 Green has developed a complete range of biocidal
range of biocides
(HA standard) and professional products for soil treatment.
soil treatment
.
Maximum safety at the best price, Think big, clean green!
