A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

Peeled, hard-boiled eggs are submerged in water inside a fixed, built-in compartment of a refrigerator. The clear container appears seamlessly integrated into the fridge’s molded interior. A wire shelf sits above, and the eggs are uniformly packed, creating a sterile, institutional feel typical of a chain hotel appliance.

793. Peeled, Hardboiled Eggs Stored Immersed in Water in the Fridge at a Chain Hotel

July 04, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating peeled, hardboiled eggs stored immersed in water in the fridge at a chain hotel.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Vivian Howard - Wikipedia
How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs | The Food Lab
2019 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Hard-boiled Eggs | Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Hard-boiled Eggs | December 2019 | Listeria | CDC
2019 Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Hard-boiled Eggs - Timeline | Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Hard-boiled Eggs | December 2019 | Listeria | CDC
Almark Foods Expanded Recall to all Products from its Georgia Facility Due to Possible Listeria monocytogenes Contamination | FDA

A filthy sponge sits in a shallow pool of murky water on a glass turntable inside a heavily soiled microwave. The sponge is stained with dark grime, and the microwave's interior is covered in splatters and residue, creating an overall impression of neglect and uncleanliness.

792. Microwaving Your Kitchen Sponges

July 04, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from microwaving your kitchen sponges.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A filthy sponge sits in a shallow pool of murky water on a glass turntable inside a heavily soiled microwave. The sponge is stained with dark grime, and the microwave's interior is covered in splatters and residue, creating an overall impression of neglect and uncleanliness.

792. Microwaving Your Kitchen Sponges

July 02, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from microwaving your kitchen sponges.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A rustic loaf of sourdough bread is studded with dried fruit and wrapped in a kraft paper label that reads: “FRUIT SOURDOUGH – HANDMADE IN MY HOME – FARMERS MARKET.” It sits on burlap, evoking a cozy, artisanal feel typical of a farmers market setting.

791. Sourdough With Fruit Inclusions at a Farmer's Market From a Home Processor in NY

June 30, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from sourdough bread with fruit inclusions at a farmer's market from a home processor in NY.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A realistic rocking-horse mascot in a “ROCKERS” jersey sits on a stadium bench, eating popcorn. The costume features lifelike horse details and hoof-like hands. A sunny ballgame crowd fills the background, capturing a playful yet convincing scene of mascot fun during a baseball game.

790. Eating From a Bag of Popcorn After Hype the Mascot Has “Eaten” From It

June 27, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating from a bag of popcorn that a sports team mascot has touched with their costumed hand,

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A young man crouches on an astroturf field, licking a fake cupcake placed inside a chocolate-sprinkled inflatable donut. His eyes are closed, and he appears focused on the playful act. The scene is brightly lit, with the vibrant colors of the donut and cupcake contrasting the green synthetic grass.

789. Licking a Fake Cupcake That Has Been Repeatedly Tossed Into an Inflatable Donut on an Astroturf Field

June 25, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from licking a fake cupcake that has been repeatedly tossed into an inflatable donut on an astroturf field.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Actual image from Reddit post.

788. 5-Year-Old Homemade Vanilla Extract From Reddit

June 23, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming 5-year-old homemade vanilla extract as shown on reddit.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A square image shows an opened glass jar of mayonnaise sitting on a wooden pantry shelf. The mayo appears discolored and crusty around the rim, suggesting spoilage. The dim lighting and aged wood add to the sense of neglect and food safety concern.

787. Mayonnaise From a Recently Opened Jar Kept in a Cabinet Less Than a Week

June 20, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from a jar of mayonnaise that was opened and then accidentally left at room temperature for less than a week

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A grimy, yellowed salad spinner sits on a worn wooden surface. Its translucent plastic walls are stained with residue and dirt, suggesting years of use without proper cleaning. The lid and handle are similarly discolored, giving the entire object a neglected, unhygienic appearance.

786. Never Washing the Salad Spinner

June 18, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from never washing your salad spinner with soap and water.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A man with wavy hair and a beard eats fried chicken at a wooden table in a repurposed restroom. Behind him are visible urinals and a toilet, set against retro green tile walls. The scene is warmly lit, blending quirky discomfort with a casual, oddly content dining atmosphere.

785. Fried Chicken From a Old Public Restroom in a State Park

June 16, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating fried chicken from a from a public restroom in a state park that has been converted into a restaurant.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A bunch of ripe red grapes hangs from a vine twisted through a chain-link fence. Behind it, a foggy graveyard lies near the intersection of two busy highways. Blurred headlights and drifting smoke from traffic lend an eerie, polluted atmosphere to the otherwise quiet, somber scene.

784. Eating Major Intersection Grapes

June 13, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from grapes grown at the intersection of two 4 lane highways.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A large, square glass jar of chimichurri sits on a kitchen counter. The contents appear separated and discolored, with dark settling at the bottom and faded herbs suspended in oil. The lid is rusted and stained, suggesting the sauce has been sitting out far too long.

783. Homemade Chimichurri Left at Room Temperature for Months

June 11, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating homemade chimichurri left at room temperature for months.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

A smiling man in a vibrant Hawaiian shirt sits at a wooden table, ready to eat a medium-rare steak. The steak is perfectly seared, pink in the center, and served with fries. Warm lighting and a simple background highlight the casual, relaxed dining moment.

782. Mechanically Tenderized Beef, Medium Rare

June 09, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating mechanically tenderize steak medium rare. You might want to listen to the end, no really all the way.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

And here are two articles that Don found later.

Image from zdf.de

781. Dubai Chocolate

June 06, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from homemade Dubai chocolate.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A worried Canadian family—father with curly hair and beard, mother with long blonde hair, an older redheaded son, and a younger blonde son with a mullet—sits at a tropical restaurant table playing cards. A stern Gambling Police officer, badge and notebook in hand, writes a ticket as palm trees sway in the background.

780. Playing Games at a Table in a Restaurant

June 04, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from playing games at a table in a restaurant.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Image from cartoon.

779. Eating Canned Beans From WWII in 2006

June 02, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating canned beans from WWII in 2006 as shown on The Simpsons.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

Screen capture from cartoon.

778. Out of Date Simpson's Ham

May 30, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating out of date ham as depicted on the Simpsons.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

Actual image from Facebook.

777. Eating Deviled Eggs Made From Home-Canned, Split Open Hard-Boiled Eggs

May 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating deviled eggs made from home-canned, split open hard-boiled eggs,

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

This image shows a half-eaten chocolate bar resting in its wrapper on a dusty desk, revealing layers of nougat, caramel, and peanuts. Several ants are crawling nearby, attracted to the sweet, decaying treat that has clearly been sitting for years. The scene feels old and forgotten.

776. Eating a Half Eaten Candy Bar After the Pandemic

May 26, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a half eaten candy bar left on a desk during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

A clear glass holds partially melted ice water with a single penny resting atop the remaining ice. The ice forms a cloudy disk floating above the water line. The background is a neutral surface, emphasizing the simple, almost scientific feel of the composition.

775. Coin in Cup for Freezer Safety After Power Outages

May 23, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using the coin in cup for freezer safety tip after power outages.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️