Whenever my son drops food on the floor, he wants to eat it. He tries to use the "5-second rule," saying food is safe to eat if it's picked up 5 seconds or less after it hits the floor. Is that true? – Roslyn No, it's never a good idea to eat food that has been dropped. The 5-second rule is just wishful thinking — bacteria can attach to food as soon as it hits the floor. And foods with wet surfaces, like an apple slice, pick up bacteria even more easily than things like a cookie. Even food that's picked up quickly can be contaminated. Visibly dirty floors are obvious hazards, but those that look clean can harbor bacteria too. Some germs can survive on floors for a long time, and of course it's impossible to see them. So what are you to do with that delicious piece of whatever that just slipped from your grasp? The safest choice is to throw it out. Back to Articles Related Articles E. Coli Undercooked burgers and unwashed produce are among the foods that can harbor E. coli bacteria and lead to infection marked by severe diarrhea. Here's how to protect your family. Read More E. Coli Undercooked burgers and unwashed produce are among the foods that can harbor E. coli bacteria and lead to infection and severe diarrhea. Here's how to protect yourself. Read More Food Poisoning Sometimes, germs can get into food and cause food poisoning. Find out what to do if your child gets food poisoning - and how to prevent it. Read More Food Poisoning The germs that get into food and cause food poisoning are tiny, but can have a powerful effect on the body. Find out what to do if you get food poisoning - and how to prevent it. Read More Food Safety for Your Family Why is food safety important? And how can you be sure your kitchen and the foods you prepare in it are safe? Read More Produce Precautions Kids need daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make sure the produce you buy and prepare is safe. Read More Food Safety Learn why food safety is important and how you can avoid the spread of bacteria when you are buying, preparing, and storing food. Read More Food Poisoning Did you ever eat something that made you feel ooky? It might have been food poisoning. Read More Germs: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Protozoa Germs are the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause disease. Read More Hand Washing: Why It's So Important Washing your hands well and often is the best way to keep from getting sick. Here's how to teach this all-important habit to your kids. Read More Diarrhea Nearly everybody gets diarrhea every once in a while, and it's usually caused by gastrointestinal infections. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Read this article to learn more. Read More Salmonellosis People often think of salmonellosis as food poisoning, but food is only one way the bacteria Salmonella can be spread. Read More The 5-Second Rule Did you ever eat something off the floor? Uh-oh. Time to read this article for kids about the 5-second rule. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.