A birthday celebration is often incomplete without the ceremonial blowing out of candles on a cake, a tradition rooted in ancient customs and beliefs. It’s a cherished ritual that adds an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings—making a wish in silence, inhaling deeply, and extinguishing the tiny flames in one breath, hopeful that the wish will come true. However, a study published in the Journal of Food Research sheds light on an unexpected, if not slightly unsettling, aspect of this age-old custom: the significant increase in bacteria that accompanies the act of blowing out birthday candles.
The study in question highlights a dramatic spike in bacteria—1400% more—on the cake icing after the birthday candles have been blown out. To test this, researchers spread icing over foil on a Styrofoam™ base, adding candles for subjects to blow out after consuming pizza. The icing samples exposed to this ritual were compared to those not subjected to blowing. The results were clear: those samples that had candles blown out over them bore a considerably higher bacterial load.
While the notion of increased bacteria from candle-blowing might trigger a chorus of ewws and yucks, the study also offers some reassurance. It states,”the transfer of bacteria and other microorganisms from the respiratory tract of a person blowing out candles to food consumed by others is likely.” However, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a heightened risk of illness, as the presence of bacteria isn’t synonymous with the presence of foodborne pathogens, the actual harbingers of sickness.
Abigail Snyder, an assistant professor and food safety field specialist, elaborates that food safety concerns are specifically linked to the transmission of disease-causing bacteria, not the overall quantity of microbes. “So while some may find it gross that blowing on candles increases bacteria, it doesn’t necessarily represent a food safety hazard based on the identity of that bacteria,” she explains.
The tradition of blowing out candles, deeply rooted in various cultures and historical contexts, from the Ancient Greeks’ offerings to Artemis to the Germans’ symbolic representation of ‘the light of life,’ persists despite the findings. The act of blowing out candles has always been intertwined with superstition and belief, such as the idea that smoke carries wishes to the heavens or wards off evil spirits. In today’s celebrations, these beliefs manifest in the silent making of a birthday wish and the hopeful snuffing out of candle flames to secure good fortune.
Despite the startling percentage increase in bacteria, the overall risk remains low, and the joy and symbolism of the tradition continue to thrive. For those who might be cautious about this newfound information, alternatives such as individual cupcakes with a single candle or the use of trick candles can provide a playful workaround without forgoing the festivity of the moment.
Relevant articles:
– TIL that blowing out birthday candles increases the bacteria in the cake by 1400%, Aug 4,2017