Overall, I think this experimental trial does show that there is some truth to the “five-second” rule. Chance is always present so for that reason we cannot be absolutely certain that this theory is true but the results do reject the null hypothesis that the five second rule is only a myth. We do not know the absolute risk of eating a piece of food after five seconds but we do know there is increased relative risk involved. If a piece of food (especially moist) were to be dropped on the floor, a reasonable person probably should stay away from eating it after five seconds.