BIRMINGHAM, England, March 12 (UPI) -- Researchers in Britain say the urban legend that food picked up seconds after being dropped on the floor has fewer bacteria is, in fact, true.
Anthony Hilton, a professor of microbiology at Aston University in England, monitored the transfer of the common bacteria E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus from a variety of indoor floors, including carpet, laminate and tiled surfaces, to toast, pasta, biscuit and a sticky sweet when contact was made from 3 to 30 seconds.