Besides being one of the GermAware, we can also thank Jerry Seinfeld for casting a humorous light on a variety of serious subjects throughout his show's tenure.  Of course, one episode that stands out deals with the infamous "double-dip" the George performed with a chip he was eating.  In true George fashion (for those Seinfeld fans), while attending a party he takes a chip from a buffet table, dips it, takes a bit and dips it again.  An argument then ensues between George and an observer who maligns George for "double-dipping."

The question that has remained with the GermAware since that episode aired over 15 years ago may finally be answered.  In a recent study performed at Clemson University, students under the direction of microbiologist Dr. Paul Dawson decided to tackle the "double-dip" controversy.

The experiment was artfully conducted by using sterile water as the dip and crackers as the chip.  The researchers measured the amount of bacteria in the tester's mouth following a mouth rinse.  This provided the bacterial baseline.  The testers performed a variety of trials of biting the chip and "dipping" it into the sterile water. 

The results clearly show that the "dip" became contaminated through the "double-dip".  According to the study, "a significant amount of bacteria transfer occurred that was attributable to double dipping."  With as few as three double-dips the amount of bacteria transferred was over half of that found on average in the tester's mouth. 

So, next time you at your local grocery store with the tempting salsa samples, you may want give pause before diving into that bowl for a taste. You never know if George might have been there before you and performed the infamous double-dip.

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