There really is no middle ground when it comes to the 5-second rule: Either you follow it, or you don’t. Some people have no problem picking up and eating dropped food as long as it’s within seconds of falling on the floor. Maybe they give it a hefty blow for good measure. But is it safe? The answer’s a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. Let's look at what the science says on the issue....
It seems safe to assume when grocery shopping or eating out at a restaurant, that the food is safe and free from vermin. While it’s usually safe to assume the former, it turns out that we should never assume the latter. In fact, we should expect a -percentage of vermin- in all the foods we eat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually has standards to limit, but not eliminate, critters...