Should you trust the five-second rule?

Food retrieved just a few seconds after being dropped is less likely to contain bacteria than if it is left for longer periods of time. The type of surface on which the food has been dropped has an effect, with bacteria least likely to transfer from carpeted surfaces. Bacteria is much more likely to linger if moist foods make contact for more than five seconds with wood, laminate or tiled surfaces. To be completely safe, our experts suggest pitching your food if it touched the ground.