Double dippers are everywhere – the 4th of July barbeque, family reunions, Super Bowl parties, anywhere chips and dip are a staple. These are the people who take a bite and dip their chips a second time when they think no one is looking.
Just ask George
Leave it to George Costanza on Seinfeld to make double dipping a mainstream public health scare. The episode, which originally aired in 1993, brought shame to George as he was caught dipping a chip a second time at a wake. The partygoer objecting to this practice exclaims "That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip!"
But is double dipping really so bad?
Ever since that Seinfeld episode, the "health menace" of double dipping has been a mainstay of party conversation, high school science projects, and even high-level academic investigation. Perhaps the most influential was a 2009 study performed at Clemson University and published in the Journal of Food Safety, entitled "Effect of biting before dipping (double-dipping) chips on the bacterial population of the dipping solution." The title alone may be enough to make you lose your appetite.
The researchers carefully analyzed bacterial contamination before and after a person double dips. Here's what they found:
- Bacterial counts in the dip increased significantly after a person took a bite from a chip and then dipped again.
- The number of bacteria contaminating the dip varied depending on the dip – salsa had more bacteria after double-dipping compared with chocolate or cheese dips (perhaps due to differences in thickness and acidity of the dips).
Similar findings were noted when bacteria counts were measured after a bitten chip was dipped in water.
So just how risky is double dipping?
It's important to note that this research was not designed to find people who became sick because someone else double dipped. And, considering that our mouths are normally packed with bacteria, it doesn't necessarily follow that more bacteria in the dip means double dipping is dangerous.
However, this research does raise the possibility that a person who is sick (or about to be) might spread a disease by re-dipping a chip. Documented examples of this are hard to find – if you know of one, let me know! But even if the risk is hard to prove, the risk may be real. We know of many respiratory diseases that can be spread by contact with saliva, such as influenza (the flu) or whooping cough. Still, there are probably much bigger risks at your next office party than double dipping. You're more likely to contract an illness from a sick person coughing or sneezing in your face or if they don't wash their hands while sick than you are from a healthy double-dipper. So, while it's reasonable to discourage double dipping, it's unlikely to pose a major risk to your health.
And if you're a double dipper…
And, for habitual double-dippers, I wonder about a more responsible option: turn the chip around to double dip from the unbitten end of the chip. Stand by – somewhere in America there is a high school kid setting up that experiment right now.
FAQs
The MythBusters found that double-dipping produced fewer microbes than putting all the dip in your mouth. Also, the number of microbes present was negligible compared to the amount found in a regular dip.
Is double dipping actually harmful? ›
People with higher bacterial loads in their mouths are more likely to introduce a larger number of germs if they double-dip—and the dip's temperature can also impact their growth.
Is double dipping a food safety problem or just a nasty habit? ›
We found that in the absence of double-dipping, our foods had no detectable bacteria present. Once subjected to double-dipping, the salsa took on about five times more bacteria (1,000 bacteria/ml of dip) from the bitten chip when compared to chocolate and cheese dips (150-200 bacteria/ml of dip).
Can you double dip a chip? ›
They found that three to six double dips in one bowl transferred about 10,000 bacteria from the eaters' mouths to the remaining dip. That means if you're at a party and three to six people double-dip their chips, any chip you dip may pick up at least 50 to 100 bacteria.
Is double dipping a crime? ›
Yes, double dipping is illegal. The reason double dipping fraud schemes are illegal is that they involve receiving money that is unmerited—and is only obtained through abusing (at least) one of the income sources.
Why should you never double dip? ›
Double-dipping can transfer bacteria from the mouth to the dip, increasing the risk of spreading illnesses and being perceived as unsanitary by others. Alternatives like using a spoon for individual portions or flipping the food item can help enjoy shared foods safely and respectfully.
What are the disadvantages of double dipping? ›
The Transfer of Bacteria: One of the main concerns with double dipping is the potential transfer of bacteria from the mouth back into the communal dip. Research has shown that when a person takes a bite of a chip and then re-dips it, bacteria from their mouth can indeed end up in the dip.
How gross is double dipping? ›
All mouths contain some bacteria, which may not be an issue. Other times, our mouths will harbor communicable disease, like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19. If someone with problematic bacteria double-dips, it's certainly possible for other dippers to ingest a scoop of staph with their Tostitos.
Is double dipping ethical? ›
What Is Double Dipping? Double dipping is an unethical practice. It describes a broker that places commissioned products into a fee-based account to earn money from both sources. In this context, double dipping is rare and can lead to fines or suspensions from regulators for the offending broker or their firm.
Why is double dipping frowned upon? ›
From a hygiene perspective, double-dipping can indeed pose a risk. When someone dips a chip or a vegetable into a shared dip, takes a bite, and then dips again, they introduce saliva that may contain bacteria or viruses into the communal bowl.
“Double dipping,” or dipping twice with the same chip, is widely regarded as a social faux pas because it is believed that this practice transfers saliva to the dip and spreads germs.
Was double dipping a thing before Seinfeld? ›
Double dipping first came to prominence in the 1990s in the US television series Seinfeld.
Who coined double dipping? ›
The earliest known use of the noun double-dipping is in the 1940s. OED's earliest evidence for double-dipping is from 1940, in the writing of Bernard Leach, potter and writer.
Is double dipping disgusting? ›
Research has all but proven that double-dipping is downright dirty. A 2009 study by Clemson University published in the Journal of Food Safety found high amounts of bacteria present in dips when already-bitten snacks were dipped in.
What percentage of people double dip? ›
Conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Sabra, the survey discovered — despite being the top food sin — nearly a third (31%) admit to double-dipping at a party or social gathering.
Is double dipping illegal in Texas? ›
The Texas House approved legislation Tuesday that would close the loophole former Gov. Rick Perry once used to begin collecting a lucrative pension without ever having to leave office. “It ends the practice of double-dipping and getting paid twice for the same job,” said Rep.
Is double dipping bad in Mythbusters? ›
In an episode of Mythbusters, hosts Adam and Jamie set out to disprove the theory that double dipping would contaminate the dip. After two experiments, the team said they had found that the number of microbes found after double dipping was insignificant compared to the original microbe count found in the regular dip.
Is it okay to double dip ice cream? ›
Scoop your ice cream with a clean serving utensil, and don't let anyone lick it. No double-dipping in the ice cream container with your personal utensils. Keep your ice cream frozen. If it melts, toss it.
What are the benefits of double dipping? ›
A double dip is when you use a UV Sunbed and then immediately Spray tan afterward! The best part about a double dip is the Sunbed will help open your pores, give you a more even color, and allow for you to receive a more even and natural Spray tan!
