Bacteria-Flavored Birthday Cake: Study Shows Blowing Out Candles Transfers Germs

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A recent study by the Journal of Food Research confirms why some people cringe instead of cheer when the birthday girl or boy blows out the candles on their cake. The study found blowing out candles on a cake spreads germs — something many of us know but were dreading confirmation. The JFR study, Bacterial Transfer Associated with Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake, was done by researchers who spread icing on two fake birthday cakes and had people blow out the candles on one of them. What researchers found was frightening enough to say "no" to a slice of birthday cake.

They found blowing on the candles increased the amount of bacteria on the cake by 1,400 percent. Therefore, the transfer of bacteria to the cake consumed by guests is quite likely.

More from Patch:

• IU School Of Dentistry Students Seeking Patients
• Indy Doctor, Styx Using New Hearing Aid Technology For World-Wide Event
• The New Snortable Stimulant: Coco Loco

If you can't resist a slice of birthday cake, now may be a good time to encourage (or buy) a separate cake for the candle blowers. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Indianapolis Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts and LIKE Indianapolis Patch on Facebook.)

More information: ccsenet.org.

Image via Shutterstock