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Double Dipping is 'Like Kissing Everybody at the Party'
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by Jarrett Martineau | February 1, 2008 at 03:51 pm
1760 views | 5 Recommendations | 25 comments
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Last year the food microbiologist [Clemson University professor Paul L. Dawson's] undergraduate students examined the effects of double dipping using volunteers, wheat crackers and several sample dips. They found that three to six double dips transferred about 10,000 bacteria from an eater's mouth to the remaining dip sample.
"I was very surprised by the results," Dawson said in a telephone interview Thursday. "I thought there would be very minimal transfer. I didn't think we would be able to detect it."
The professor said the students' research didn't get into the risk behind such a bacteria transfer, but they got the idea.
"I like to say it's like kissing everybody at the party - if you're double dipping, you're putting some of your bacteria in that dip," Dawson said.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (25)
at 16:11 on February 1st, 2008
Hello Jarrett,
I bet I know what video you put up!!! It's the one where George gets all paranoid about double-dipping and then transfers his paranoia to the others. Oh Lord! Thats a funny episode!
I just added a couple of dip pix for you to brighten up the story.
~ Swan
Image Sources:
Lavendar Rose Ramblings
Daily Unadventures in Cooking
at 16:14 on February 1st, 2008
Thank you for using a South Carolina College in your article. I AGREE!! Please no double dipping. The worst is eating anything, like mints or nuts, in a bowl, in a public place.. Yuuucccckkkk!
at 16:26 on February 1st, 2008
So true...stay away from those free peanuts at the bar.
at 18:02 on February 1st, 2008
Double dipping is the most vile activity ever...this fun bowl offers 2 different dips, and I put a spoon in each - to thwart ANY double dipping fanatics!!
amyturtle10 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:31 on February 1st, 2008
I just make the dips. . .and then take the pictures. After that, I don't indulge! Double-dipping is a dangerous sport these days!!!
Morningtower has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:50 on February 2nd, 2008
What if one dips with one end of the chip, and then with the other?
at 19:28 on February 1st, 2008
Personally, I am a huge fan of the double dip.
adrienneclaire has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:36 on February 1st, 2008
...as long as i'm the only one doing the double dip, of course.
adrienneclaire has contributed a photo to this story.
at 20:51 on February 1st, 2008
I absolutely hate people who double dip. That said, this dip was all mine. No sharing. Just mine. They asked, I declined. Get your own, I said!
FoodieChloe has contributed a photo to this story.
at 22:39 on February 1st, 2008
single dips are really the best.
misterchinaski has contributed a photo to this story.
at 22:42 on February 1st, 2008
chips with assorted dips, yum.
sixswife has contributed a photo to this story.
at 01:34 on February 2nd, 2008
The queso dip was shared w/ my family at a local Houston restaurant. All were careful to avoid double dipping! We had a bowl of guacamole to share, also (sorry no pic as it stayed on the far end of the table in close proximity to my SIL).
at 02:28 on February 2nd, 2008
cleanskies has contributed a photo to this story.
at 09:28 on February 2nd, 2008
mmmm! dip = good. double-dipping = bad. as amyturtle mentions, that's why we have spoons. and i would add, plates.
smartypantz has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:46 on February 2nd, 2008
Jarrett Martineau, Lets just say I have no comment on double dipping, I always heard it as a different connotation, such as people allowing their pet to lick them all over the face after the pet cleans itself.
at 18:02 on February 2nd, 2008
Hello everyone,
Don't you all think that being so concerned over "double-dipping" is being a trifle paranoid? No one was even concerned about it prior to the phrase being coined. (Was George in Seinfeld the first person to complain about it?)
People expect babies and toddlers to stay clean almost to the point of being sterile - and then wonder why they are so susceptible to the kinds of germs and bugs that make them dangerously ill.
Kids need to build up their immune systems and are only able to do that, if they are exposed to different bugs in the first place.
Then there are the ones as Barry has mentioned that accept being licked by their dogs. Cats are the absolute nastiest of animals as they investigate and tear apart the nastiest of things outside. Then depending on house rules, they are left to jump up on kitchen counters.
What about making out? Does it disgust you all to think that maybe you swallow a third of a cup of your partner's saliva anytime you indulge in a good makeout session?
I don't get it.
~ Swan
at 00:40 on February 3rd, 2008
THere is a difference - maybe in choosing to swap/swallow saliva when you make out or allow your dog to lick your face after licking his private parts. One has no choice if someone "double dips" or sneezes on shared food other than to not eat that food (if you are even aware of a doubledipper or a sneezer).
I also avoid buffets, especilally where I see lots of kids running around untended by parents - touching things on the food line.
Doubledipping has been around awhile. George just gave it major public exposure.
at 04:26 on February 3rd, 2008
good point jujuhoodoo, especially your take on buffets and kids
at 12:20 on February 3rd, 2008
Hello Juju,
So, I think part of what you're saying is that it comes down to choice as to which person's bugs you're prepared to accept. Well that's a sensible approach.
It does most certainly make me gag if someone sneezes/coughs on me or my food - and even more so if it's apparent that they're not well.
Thanks for your reply :)
~ Swan
at 12:48 on February 3rd, 2008
I think, overall, the real risk of getting sick from double-dipping is pretty low- people seem more concerned from a social/grossness standpoint.
As for peanuts at the bar, I don't hang out at places classy enough to have bowls of nuts, so I wouldn't know...
at 18:35 on February 3rd, 2008
I thought peanuts in bars were illegal, my preference is pickled eggs, pepperoni, andpretzels and other Trailer Park Boys Classy hor douvres
at 14:47 on February 4th, 2008
chip and dip: fighting for double-dippers rights worldwide!
edgecakes has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:46 on February 5th, 2008
The flickr group that this photo was pulled from was food in the work-place. It is amazing what you find on people's desk or in the trash (what they eat at work). I would not want touch some of the desk that have been photographed - eaten sunflower seeds, banana peels, and just about everything else.
tmichaelegan has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:52 on February 5th, 2008
Hillbilly chip and dip at it's finest.
kbsarah has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:42 on February 8th, 2008
I'd say I was double dipping, because I'm a HUGE double dipper, but don't worry, not at big parties and such!!! This is me workin' with the Buzz for some function out at Juanitas here in Little Rock.
aprlbrwn has contributed a photo to this story.