Featured Image Credit: Patrick Strattner/Oxford Scientific/Getty Images
Topics: Health, Insects, Nature, Science, Food and Drink
Callum Jones
Topics: Health, Insects, Nature, Science, Food and Drink
We've all heard of the five-second rule, right?
The age-old rule has certainly stood the test of time, with many of us picking up food off the floor and continuing to eat if it's been less than five seconds.
I mean, not every floor is the same. Some are going to be a lot dirtier than others.
As a result, people have started to question if the rule should apply to every surface - particularly public ones.
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We've learned from scientists over the years that a few germs here and there are good for the immune system.
However, after seeing a video on X earlier this year, many social media users have been calling for the five-second rule to be scrapped altogether.
The revelation involves the work of, arguably, our most annoying insect - the fly.
Nothing ruins a stupendous summer picnic more than the buzzing of flies swarming your food.
And we’re quick to simply waft them away, even if they may have landed on our sausage rolls for a few seconds.
But should we really be throwing them away after such an incident occurs?
It might not be a shock that flies don’t eat like humans - they don’t have teeth and consequently, cannot chew.
Instead, they opt for vomiting a concoction of enzymes that break down the food on your plate, making it easier for them to slurp up and digest.
Lovely, eh?
The viral video showing how exactly they do this, was created by YouTuber, Zack D. Films.
And while the knowledge isn’t breakthrough, people on social media have really decided to rethink what they'll do with their munch next time a fly lands on it or they drop their food in a public place.
By following the five-second rule, it will probably collect less bacteria than food sitting there for a longer time. However, bacteria can actually attach to your food as soon as it hits the ground so it might be safer just to chuck it away.
One person on X said: “This is even more gross than I had imagined.”
Another said: “Ew, new revulsion unlocked.”
But it isn’t just their vomit that is problematic, their feet are also an issue.
One user pointed out: “Flies are on poop all day.
“And they are throwing it up on your food and particles from the feet are also faecal matter.”
But some people didn’t seem too bothered about the new discovery, one person actually thanked the flies, saying: “If it is putting digestive enzymes in my food I guess that will help me digest it as well.”
That’s definitely one way of looking at it…
Someone else offered a more sensible solution all round and said: “Just remove the chunk the fly was busy on then continue enjoying your food.”