An etiquette expert has taken a look at a common birthday tradition that has become controversial for spreading a lot of germs.
Barbara Wallraff, columnist for the Boston GlobeI found clever alternatives to blow out the candles without spreading germs all over the cake.
We’ve rounded up some clever tips from people who offered helpful tricks to keep bacteria from getting into this delicious holiday dessert.
During the pandemic, Stephanie Nurenberg of Northampton found the best way to sing “and then an adult takes the candles off the cake and each person blows one out.”
Wallraff added that “some adjustments” may be needed with that method, since a party for a child would obviously have far fewer candles than one for a 90-year-old.
During the pandemic, Stephanie Nurenberg from Northampton found the best way to sing along “and then an adult takes the candles off the cake and each person can blow one out.” (Pictured: Kim Kardashian blowing out the candles on her 30th birthday in 2010)
Boston Globe columnist Barbara Wallraff has rounded up some clever tips from people around the country who have found smart alternatives to blowing out birthday candles without spreading germs all over the cakes.
Tom Hayden from Chelmsford told Wallraff about the new trend of “prank candles” being sold online.
Hayden recommended looking for “safe wishing candles” or “clean wishing candles” that have suction cup holders on the end of each candle that stick to the cake wrapper.
Margaret Yorganjian of Charlestown suggested another clever trick to avoid germs on birthday cakes.
She revealed that her family has resorted to placing wax paper or plastic wrap on top of the cakes and then using candles to poke holes and create an outline of the person’s age on top.
Yorganjian said: ‘So instead of, say, 12 separate candles, you just have a larger decorative number 1 and number 2. ‘It works!’
‘Safe Wish Candle Holders’ (pictured) or ‘Clean Wish Candle Holders’ have suction cup holders on the end of each candle that stick to the outside of the cake wrapper.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seen celebrating her birthday in October 1999 as she takes a deep breath to blow out the numerous candles.
Susan J. Evans of Carlisle shared a disturbing birthday experience with Wallraff that she will never forget.
“I have a memory that might make you smile,” Evans said.
‘Years ago I attended a birthday party for a local woman who was turning 98. She huffed and puffed and blew out the candles.
‘But along with that breath came her dentures, which landed on the cake!’
A team of researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina previously found that the saliva that spreads when blowing out birthday candles increases bacteria in the frosting by 1,400 percent.
Dr. Paul Dawson, a professor at the university, conducted the study with a group of his university students to get them thinking about food safety.
The research team placed frosting on a piece of aluminum foil on top of a cake-shaped polystyrene wheel, on which they placed candles.
Margaret Yorganjian suggested placing wax paper or plastic wrap over cakes and then using candles to poke holes and create an outline of the person’s age on top. (Pictured: Actress Sofia Vergara blowing out her birthday candles in July 2011)
Before blowing out the candles, everyone ate pizza, to “simulate a birthday party” and “help the salivary glands get going.”
Then they lit the candles and blew them out.
The team of researchers found that there was a large amount of bacteria, but the most surprising thing was that each hit gave rise to different types of bacteria.
On average, when the candles were blown out, the frosting generated 14 times more bacteria.
However, in one case, it increased more than 120-fold, suggesting that certain people transfer more bacteria than others.
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