A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

DALL·E: The image shows a Canadian garage where a person struggles to fit an oversized turkey into a large cooler filled with ice. The garage features typical items like a hockey stick, snow boots, a Canadian flag, and tools on shelves, all under warm overhead lighting, adding a humorous, cozy touch.

696. Thawing a Turkey in the Garage

November 20, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from thawing a turkey in the garage.

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

631. Thawing a Whole Turkey in a Hot Garage Twice — Risky or Not?
86. Thawing Poultry at Room Temperature — Risky or Not?
Don Schaffner 🦠 on X: "Room temperature thawing of frozen meat is an interesting topic that comes up from time to time. If you check all of the food safety advice websites they will tell you that it is not safe to do this. (1/18)" / X
The effect of different thawing methods on the growth of bacteria in chicken
Thawing turkeys at ambient air temperatures food technology - Google Scholar
Consumer food handling recommendations: is thawing of turkey a food safety issue? - PubMed
Merch — Risky or Not?

DALL·E: The image depicts a person washing a large turkey in a kitchen sink, with water splashing dramatically. The scene is lively and chaotic, featuring cluttered counters with cooking utensils and ingredients, evoking a sense of pre-holiday preparation. Warm lighting accentuates the dynamic splashes and the bustling atmosphere.

695. Rinsing Your Turkey in the Sink

November 18, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from rinsing your turkey in the sink.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

DALL·E: A roasted turkey sits on a platter, humorously featuring a popped-up timer in the foreground signaling it's done. In the background, a meat thermometer ironically shows the internal temperature is only 100°F. The scene is set on a bright kitchen counter, highlighting the amusing contradiction in the cooking process.

694. Relying on a Pop Up Thermometer

November 15, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from relying on a pop up thermometer.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

DALL·E: A lively Thanksgiving potluck featuring diverse guests in a bustling, festive room. Tables are laden with traditional dishes alongside visibly undercooked and mislabeled foods. Children run around as people chat and serve themselves, creating a chaotic yet warm atmosphere. The scene highlights both celebration and subtle food safety concerns.

693. Inexperienced Home Chefs and Potlucks

November 13, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks posed by inexperienced home chefs and potlucks.

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

This image features a half-empty, transparent container of guacamole placed on a kitchen counter. The guacamole itself is textured, displaying distinct chunks of small diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, which add a colorful and fresh appearance to the green base. The guacamole's surface has ridges and swirls, showing evidence of recent scooping.
The kitchen is depicted in the middle of the night, with dim, warm lighting emanating from an overhead source, casting gentle, elongated shadows on the counter. The counter itself is subtly textured, resembling granite or a similar polished stone surface with small, faint speckles.
The container is positioned slightly askew, hinting at casual use. Reflections on the container's plastic sides indicate the soft glow from the kitchen's light, enhancing the late-night ambiance. Overall, the scene conveys a feeling of nighttime snacking, with its quiet and tranquil setting.

692. Guacamole Left Out Overnight

November 11, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating guacamole left out overnight.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image on the left depicts a kitchen setting where a person is preparing a smoothie using unconventional ingredients. The scene shows a pair of hands actively dumping pieces of freeze-dried beef organs into an open blender. The freeze-dried meat looks dark, shriveled, and somewhat unappealing, contrasting with the lighter, powdery texture of the colostrum being added alongside it. The blender jar is clear, showcasing the mixture of unusual ingredients inside.
The countertop is cluttered, enhancing the feeling of a work-in-progress. The kitchen itself has a somewhat dim, rustic appearance, with faint, warm lighting casting subtle shadows that accentuate the strangeness of the ingredients. The scene evokes a sense of curiosity and slight discomfort due to the odd nature of the items being used to create the smoothie.

691. Freeze Dried Beef Organs and Colostrum Smoothie

November 08, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of drinking a freeze dried beef organs and colostrum smoothie.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image portrays a tender and dynamic moment in a cozy kitchen setting. A toddler with chubby hands and wide, curious eyes is reaching up toward a wooden table where raw flour is scattered. The child’s expression is one of wonder and excitement, emphasizing the natural curiosity of toddlers. The child is dressed in a simple, colorful outfit that adds a sense of innocence to the scene.
Beside the toddler, a mother is shown mid-action, leaning over to gently snatch the child's hand away from the flour. Her face reflects a mix of concern and warmth, illustrating the protective nature of a parent. Her gesture is quick but careful, ensuring that her movement doesn’t startle the toddler.
The background details a cozy kitchen space with warm, ambient lighting. On the table, there are hints of baking supplies, such as a rolling pin, a small mixing bowl, and perhaps a bag of flour, which has slightly spilled and created a thin dusting across the tabletop. Flour particles can be seen faintly suspended in the air, adding a sense of motion and realism.
Overall, the scene captures a candid moment of parenting, highlighting both the toddler's sense of discovery and the mother's nurturing attentiveness.

690. Letting a Toddler Eat Raw Flour

November 06, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of letting a toddler eat raw flour.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image features a rustic, appetizing scene centered on a dish filled with cooked mussels. The mussels are all tightly closed, adding to the intrigue and emphasizing their resistance. The dish is set on a weathered wooden table that provides a warm, homely atmosphere. The mussels have a slight sheen from the cooking, highlighting their smooth, dark shells.
In the foreground, a muscular man is shown exerting himself, trying to pry open one of the mussels with significant effort. His expression is one of concentration and frustration, with visible tension in his arms and clenched jaw. His biceps and forearms are well-defined, showcasing his strength and the unexpected challenge he faces.
The background is subtly detailed, featuring kitchen elements that add context without stealing focus. A bowl of fresh lemon slices sits nearby, suggesting they are meant for garnishing or adding a splash of citrus to the dish. A cloth or kitchen towel is also placed on the table, casually folded. The warm, natural lighting casts soft shadows and adds depth, making the textures of the mussels, wood, and the man’s skin stand out.
Overall, the scene blends humor and culinary art, focusing on the man's struggle against the stubborn mussels, highlighting an amusing contrast between strength and nature.

689. Eating Mussels Unopened After Cooking

November 04, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating mussels still unopened after cooking.

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

The image on the right features a close-up view of a classic hamburger, artfully assembled and visually appealing. The burger is built on a lightly toasted sesame seed bun, which is slightly raised to show the layers inside. On top of the burger patty, there are slivered onions neatly spread, adding texture and visual interest. The beef patty itself appears juicy and grilled, with subtle searing marks for a touch of realism. Beneath the onions, there are slices of ripe tomatoes and fresh, crisp lettuce that add vibrant color contrast to the dish. Melted cheese drapes over the edges of the patty, hinting at its rich flavor.
In the background, a wall-mounted calendar is clearly visible, with the current month displayed as November. The date "1" is distinctly circled in bold red ink, drawing attention to it. The overall setting suggests a clean, bright kitchen environment with natural light illuminating the scene, creating an inviting and appetizing atmosphere.

688. Eating Slivered Onions Today

November 01, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of slivered onions today in light of the ongoing outbreak.

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

DALL·E - The image depicts a Halloween candy with a gummy center and crunchy, colorful bits surrounding the outside, designed with vibrant hues of orange, green, and purple. A small cochineal insect (scientifically named *Dactylopius coccus*), which is used in the natural production of carmine dye, is positioned near the candy, observing it. Above the insect is a thought bubble containing the words "Happy Samhain." The background of the image is dark and spooky, featuring subtle Halloween elements like faint shadows of pumpkins or bats, adding a festive and mysterious atmosphere.
The overall theme blends Halloween imagery with Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The candy, reminiscent of popular seasonal treats, is central to the composition, while the insect adds an unusual yet natural element tied to the historical use of cochineal as a red food dye.

687. Nerds Gummy Clusters

October 30, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating Nerds Gummy Clusters (when you are not allergic to Carmine B).

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

DALL·E - A close-up image of an egg being fried on a very hot Astroturf field under a bright, scorching sun. The egg white is sizzling and bubbling, with the yolk slightly runny, and the green synthetic grass of the Astroturf contrasts with the golden egg. The grass is visibly affected by the heat, with some slight melting or warping where the egg is resting. Heatwaves rise from the scene, enhancing the sense of extreme temperature.

686. Eating an Egg Fried on Astroturf

October 28, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating an egg fried on Astroturf.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

DALL·E - The image depicts a large maple syrup bottle standing on a kitchen countertop with its top off. The bottle takes up a significant portion of the frame, emphasizing its size. A smooth stream of amber-colored maple syrup is pouring into the bottle from a source outside the top of the frame, creating ripples as it fills the bottle. The background shows a cozy kitchen setting with warm, soft lighting, and subtle details like utensils, though the main focus remains on the bottle and the flowing syrup. The atmosphere feels homely and inviting.

685. Pouring Unused Maple Syrup Back Into the Container

October 25, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of pouring unused maple syrup back into the container.

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

DALL·E - This image depicts a whimsical scene featuring a large treehouse nestled among tall trees in a Canadian forest. The treehouse is built with rustic wooden planks and blends into the natural surroundings. Inside the treehouse, there is a giant waffle, golden brown with textured square pockets, occupying much of the interior space. The waffle gives the treehouse a playful, imaginative look.
Around the treehouse, lush green trees typical of Canada stretch up into the sky, with soft sunlight filtering through the branches. The atmosphere is serene and peaceful, evoking a sense of nature and adventure. The combination of the rustic treehouse and the oversized waffle creates a fantastical, fun visual.

684. Recalled Treehouse Waffles

October 23, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from waffles currently recalled for Listeria monocytogenes.

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

DALL·E - A large, open refrigerator filled with pumpkin spice flavored coffee creamers. Some of the coffee creamers are slightly oozing a small amount of orange liquid.

683. Pastor Pinkston's Putrid Pumpkin Products

October 21, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks posed by clumpy pumpkin spice creamer stored in an overfull church refrigerator.

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

DALL·E - A fish tank-shaped glass jar filled with a variety of food items, such as fruits, snacks, and colorful treats. On the jar, there is a label that reads SIMBA.

682. Storing Food in a Glass Jar That Used to Be a Fish Tank

October 18, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from storing food in a glass jar that used to be a fish tank.

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

DALL·E - An idyllic setting in Los Angeles with a store named 'Cookie Dough Dreams'. The storefront has a warm, inviting atmosphere, painted in soft pastels.

681. Cookie Dough Dreams Raw Cookie Dough

October 16, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating raw cookie dough from Cookie Dough Dreams in LA.

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

680. Drinking Single Barrel Bourbon With a Moldy Cork

October 14, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking single barrel bourbon with a cork that looks moldy.

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

679. Ben's Moldy Strawberry Jam

October 11, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from strawberry jam with black and white colored mold.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

DALL·E - An elderly person with gray hair, wearing glasses, sitting alone at a kitchen table. They are eating a bowl of macaroni and cheese.

678. Immunocompromised Person Eating Mac and Cheese Left at Room Temperature for Two Hours

October 09, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks faced by an immunocompromised person eating mac and cheese left at room temperature for two hours.

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

DALL·E - An open carton of eggs with several uncracked eggs neatly arranged. One of the eggs in the middle has a small, noticeable crack.

677. Eating a Properly Cooked Egg With a Crack in It

October 07, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a properly cooked egg with a crack in it.

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