S’pore Health Expert Says There’s No Such Thing as the 5-Second Rule

Last Updated on 2023-04-27 , 9:07 am

Some of us used to believe that if we picked up food quickly enough, it was still safe to eat. Meanwhile, another group thought that no matter how long food sat on the table, it was still edible and could even boost the immune system.

However, some people looked at us as crazy for thinking these things.

Interestingly, those few individuals we considered overly cautious may have been correct. Therefore, it’s not wise to ridicule them for their cautiousness.

If we persist in our erroneous thinking, we may have more than just our pride at stake; we may also endanger our health.

For instance, salmonella, a dangerous bacterium that causes typhoid fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and other illnesses, has been linked to raw eggs, milk, and poultry, poor food hygiene, inadequate toilet hygiene, and cross-contamination of food.

Here are some other food misconceptions that could put you in danger.

---

Half-boiled (Not fully cooked) eggs are safe

For those who love half-boiled eggs like me, I feel you. Half-boiled eggs are a no-go anymore. Ms Bibi Chia, principal dietician with the Raffles Diabetes and Endocrine Centre said that even if the eggs are cooked, the parts that are uncooked still contain the bacteria salmonella.

It’s best to cook those eggs till they are firm and egg whites are totally white.

---

Raw Fish is Safe as Long as Lemon is Used to Wash the Fish

Because acid mah, right? Wrong. There’s still bacteria left within the fish.

It’s better to set fire to the fish and cook it thoroughly to make sure that all bacteria is gone.

---

Fruits are Clean as Long as You Wash it Thoroughly

You would have thought that eating fruits with the skin on is better as it’s said to contain nutrients. I know I thought the same before writing this.

It might be better to peel the skin away the next time because bacteria are known to stick in the scars and pits of the skin.

---

Microwave can Kill All Bacteria

So you got your leftover from the fridge and pop it into the microwave for two minutes. Seeing that it’s sufficiently heated up, you started eating but did you notice that some parts are not as warm as others?

Ms Chia recommends that you heat up the food for a minute, use a fork to toss through the content before continuing so that all parts of your food can be reached.

And if you think that microwaving food for too long kills off the nutrients, don’t worry because they’re heated to similar temperatures.

---

As Long as You Wash Your Cutting Board Thoroughly, You’re Fine

Do you wash your cutting board regularly and thoroughly? Good for you! But that’s not enough.

It’s recommended that you soak your cutting board in hot water for a minute as bacteria which thrived within the scratches of the board are not easily washed away.

So now that you know, remember to tell this to your family and friends! Better be safe than sorry, right?