Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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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 👍🏼

  • Peg solitaire - Wikipedia
  • Restaurant and Staff Characteristics Related to Practices that Could Contribute to Cross-Contamination - ScienceDirect
  • Surprising Hawaii Law Shuts Down Family’s Vacation Tradition - Beat of Hawaii


June 04, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Restaurant, Cross-contamination, Games

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 👍🏼

  • Beastie Boys – Johnny Ryall Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
  • Gregory Koch: "Eating canned beans from World War II in 2006, when this episode first aired.... #RiskyOrNot @benchapmanncsu.bsky.social @bugcounter.bsky.social" — Bluesky
  • Eating 80 year old food Rations! sealed since WW2! What's inside? - YouTube
  • We Ate 100-Year-Old Food from Every War! - YouTube
  • 643. Drinking an Unknown Liquid Found in a Bottle at Sea — Risky or Not?
  • The Canning Process; Old Preservation Technique Goes Modern" by Blumenthal, Dale - FDA Consumer, Vol. 24, Issue 7, September 1990 | Online Research Library: Questia Reader
  • Consumer Brands Association - Wikipedia
  • Dennis Heldman Obituary - Columbus, OH


June 02, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Canned food, Beans, Shelf-life

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 Out of Date Simpson's Ham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 Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating out of date ham as depicted on the Simpsons.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 ☣️

  • Arc - Robot or Not? #310 - The Incomparable
  • Gregory Koch: "This episode aired on February 10, 1994, so assuming that's the date this is set .... Eating processed ham that expired five years ago - #RiskyOrNot? @benchapmanncsu.bsky.social @bugcounter.bsky.social" — Bluesky
  • Amazon.com: North Carolina Mountain Cured Country Ham Trimmings 5-4 Oz. Packs : Grocery & Gourmet Food
  • Hams and Food Safety | Food Safety and Inspection Service


May 30, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Ham, Shelf-life

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 ☣️

  • Canning Rebels | Hard boiled egg experiment | Facebook
  • Text of "GREEN EGGS AND HAM" (by Doctor Seuss)
  • Green Eggs and Ham - Google Books
  • Food Safety Talk 319: I'm Feeling Botchy Today — Food Safety Talk
  • Pickled Eggs - National Center for Home Food Preservation
  • Why do Eggs Turn Green When Cooked? | Incredible Egg
  • Full article: Investigation of a type C/D botulism outbreak in free-range laying hens in France
  • Challenge studies with Listeria monocytogenes and proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in hard-boiled eggs packaged under modified atmospheres - ScienceDirect
  • Pressure Canning Whole Eggs for the pantry! *NOT a G0v+ approved method #storingeggs #preservingeggs - YouTube
  • Foodborne Botulism From Eating Home-Pickled Eggs --- Illinois, 1997
  • Freezing Eggs - National Center for Home Food Preservation
May 28, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Eggs, Home canning, Botulism

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 👍🏼

  • Names for soft drinks in the United States - Wikipedia
  • One-in-a-Million Pizza Fan – Bedtime Math
  • Ants Eating Choco Heart Cookie - YouTube
  • Time Lapse Ants Eating Heart Candy (ants vs candy timelapse) - YouTube
  • A study on the potential of ants to act as vectors of foodborne pathogens - PMC
  • New chat
  • DO NOT IGNORE THOSE BIG BLACK ANTS
May 26, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Candy, Ants, Cross-contamination

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 ☣️

  • Food Safety After a Storm | N.C. Cooperative Extension
  • Does a Coin in a Cup of Ice Accurately Tell You If Your Freezer Lost Power? | Snopes.com
  • Why Are People Putting A Cup Of Ice With A Coin On Top In Their Freezer?
  • Temperature & Humidity | Lascar Electronics
  • Amazon.com: tempi.fi Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensor - Developed in The USA - 24/7 Data Logger with Alarm – Bluetooth Smart Thermometer and Hygrometer - Bluetooth Only - Not WiFi : Industrial & Scientific


May 23, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Freezer, Time temperature control for safety food, Power outage

A smiling man with curly hair, a beard, and glasses wears an orange turtleneck sweater. He holds a clear container filled with candied lemon peels. The background is a soft beige, giving the image a warm, cozy feel. The man appears cheerful and relaxed.

774. Room Temperature Candied Lemon Peels

May 21, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from storing candied lemon peels at room temperature.

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

  • Candied Lemon Peel Recipe
  • Water Activity (aw) in Foods | FDA
  • 400. Simple Syrup Stored at Room Temperature — Risky or Not?
  • Suntree Natural Foods Marketplace | Port Hope’s go-to for food that is local, health-conscious and delicious
  • Wine Spirits Beer | LCBO
May 21, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Water activity, Lemon, pH, Sugar

A grimy single-cup coffee maker sits on a speckled countertop, heavily stained with rust and old coffee residue. The machine looks neglected and unclean. A filthy, streaked paper cup rests on the drip tray, emphasizing the unhygienic condition. The setting evokes discomfort, like a poorly maintained hotel room.

773. Single Cup Hotel Coffee Makers

May 19, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using hotel single cup coffee makers.

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

  • assuming that everything in a hotel room has at... | kung fu grippe
  • Keurig® K-Mini® Single Serve Coffee Maker | Keurig Canada
  • My brewer has internal temperature control. What are the brew temperature ranges? | Knowledge Article
May 19, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Coffee, Cross-contamination

A person in a brown shirt carefully sweeps spilled flour from a countertop into a ceramic bowl using a wooden brush, intending to save it for later. The scene is warmly lit and focused on the hands and tools.

772. Reusing Bench Flour

May 16, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from reusing bench flour.

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

  • 214. Having a Romantic Flour Fight — Risky or Not?
  • Simple Sourdough Pizza Crust: Step-by-Step Guide | Alexandra's Kitchen
  • food safety - What should I do with my leftover bench flour? - Seasoned Advice
May 16, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Flour, E. coli O157:H7

A greasy cook licks his fingers while holding a steak over a grill. He wears a stained apron and chef’s hat. A young girl with long black hair looks on in horror, her mouth open in shock. The kitchen appears grimy, with a burger on a shelf in the background.

771. Eating Steaks Flipped With Licked Bare Hands

May 14, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating steaks flipped by someone who has licked their bare hands before flipping.

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

  • 327. Chicken Soup Unrefrigerated for More Than 6 Hours — Risky or Not?
  • 342. Bedroom Pasta — Risky or Not?
  • 316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl — Risky or Not?
May 14, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Norovirus

DALL·E image text: A concerned woman holds a glass of milk in front of FDA headquarters. Behind her, a somber line of employees exits the building, each wearing a sign that says "FIRED." The scene conveys unease, suggesting turmoil at the agency and possible implications for food safety or public trust.

770. Consuming Dairy Products Given Cuts to FDA

May 12, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming dairy products given recent cuts to FDA.

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

  • US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts | Reuters
  • NC milk is still being tested. FDA program suspension info | Charlotte Observer
  • Explainer: How does US food safety work, and what cuts has Trump made? | Reuters
  • Brian Schaneberg Post | LinkedIn
  • Rigorous Milk and Dairy Safety Testing Continues - IDFA
  • FDA Grade “A” Milk Testing Is Coming Back—Here’s What You Need To Know
May 12, 2025 /Don Schaffner
FDA, Dairy, DOGE cuts, Trump

This image is from Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Mold/comments/1jc7ge8/mold_or_dirt_in_shallot/

769. Onion and Shallot Black Mold

May 09, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from onions and/or shallots with black mold.

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

  • Digital Repository Universitas Medan Area: Inventory of Fungus on Shallots (Allium ascalonicum)
  • Onions, Shallots and Garlic - Crop Post‐Harvest: Science and Technology - Wiley Online Library
  • Can you use onions with black mold?
  • Mold or dirt in shallot : r/Mold
May 09, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Onion, Shallot, Mold

DALL·E image text: A young restaurant worker in a black shirt and beige apron pulls on a white glove while a stern manager in a black suit watches disapprovingly with arms crossed. The warm, rustic restaurant setting contrasts with the tension between them, hinting that the worker skipped proper handwashing before gloving up.

768. Putting on Gloves Without Washing Your Hands

May 07, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of putting on gloves without first washing your hands as required by the FDA model food code.

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

  • Handwashing Facts | Clean Hands | CDC
  • Glove Barriers to Bacterial Cross-Contamination between Hands to Food - ScienceDirect
  • Microbiological safety assurance system for foodservice facilities.
  • FDA Food Code | FDA
  • Food Code 2022 | FDA
  • Scientific Evidence Supports the Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers as an Effective Alternative to Hand Washing in Retail Food and Food Service Settings When Heavy Soiling Is Not Present on Hands - ScienceDirect
  • 2025 Biennial Meeting | Biennial Meetings | Conference for Food Protection
May 07, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Handwashing, Glove use, Cross-contamination

DALL·E image text: The image shows the entrance to "Jordan's Bar & Restaurant," with wooden double doors featuring baseball bat handles. A lake and trees are visible through the glass panels. A sign on one door reads "Shoes, Shirt, No Service," and a wooden sign above displays the restaurant's name. The image is square.

Don: The image is square, and so is DALL·E, man.

767. Eating and Drinking at Nudist Bar

May 05, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks eating and drinking at nudist bar.

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

  • 9: Barefoot Kitchen Staff — Risky or Not?
  • List of social nudity places in North America - Wikipedia
May 05, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cross-contamination, Nudity

DALL·E image text: A glass bowl of overnight oats sits on a dark countertop, glowing ominously with green light. Wisps of toxic-looking green mist rise from the oats, surrounded by biohazard symbols, creating an eerie, dangerous atmosphere that hints at bacterial contamination.

766. Room Temperature Overnight Oats

May 02, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating overnight oats made a room temperature

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • oats search on Risky or Not?
  • Overnight Oats Recipe - How to Make Overnight Oats
  • The Pioneer Woman Unnecessarily Sends a Terrible Message : r/foodnetwork
  • The Truth About Overnight Oats - My Longevity Kitchen
  • Spore germination - ScienceDirect
  • Bacteria of Bacillus cereus group in cereals at retail - Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences - Tom 59, Numer 1 (2009) - AGRO - Yadda
  • Potential of selected infant food formulas for production of Bacillus cereus emetic toxin, cereulide - ScienceDirect
  • Detection of Emetic Bacillus cereus from Ready-to-eat Foods in Markets and its Production of Cereulide under Simulated Conditions -Journal of the FoodService Safety | Korea Science
  • Bacterial Pathogens and Indicators in Oats - April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020 - inspection.canada.ca
  • Oats: characteristics and quality requirements - ScienceDirect
May 02, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Bacillus cereus, Oats, Time temperature control for safety food

DALL·E image text: A square photo of a glass jar, half-filled with syrupy peaches. Several peach slices are covered in thick, fuzzy mold, appearing green and white. The jar has a weathered metal lid, and the syrup inside is cloudy. The scene is softly lit against a plain, neutral background.

765. Big Open Spoiled Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature

April 30, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben revisit episode 759, and talk about the risks of eating from big open spoiled jar of canned peaches at room temperature.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • 759. Big Open Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature — Risky or Not?
  • Further Studies on Development of Clostridium Botulinum in Refrigerated Foods 1 - Tanner - 1940 - Journal of Food Science - Wiley Online Library
  • Further Studies on Development of Clostridium botulinum in Refrigerated Foods - abstract
  • Growth and Toxin Production by Clostridium botulinum in Sauteed Onions - ScienceDirect
  • Journal of Food Science - Wikipedia
April 30, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Botulism, Peaches, Spoilage, Fungus, pH

Actual photo texted to Ben

764. Canned Pineapple From a Gray Container

April 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating canned pineapple from a container that's turned gray on the inside.

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

  • Periodic Tables Events | Duke University Science & Society
  • Food safety vs. food waste: Test your knowledge with this quiz - Washington Post
  • Does the inside of this aluminium [pineapple] can look normal? Or is it some weird toxic oxidation thing and i shouldn‘t eat the pineapples : r/foodhacks
  • Are pineapple steel cans supposed to look like that on the inside? It looks like it's dissolving into the pineapple juice.. Isn't the lining of the can supposed to prevent that? : r/chemistry
  • Let's look inside the can | Live Well. Eat Well. | Illinois Extension | UIUC
  • Caitlin Mellendorf | Serving DeWitt, Macon and Piatt Counties | Illinois Extension | UIUC
  • After opening canned foods, is it safe to refrigerate the unused food in the can?
  • The Real Reason You Shouldn't Store an Open Can of Food in the Fridge | Epicurious
  • Corrosive Effect of Pineapple Juice on the Fatigue and Hardness Properties of Austempered Ductile Iron
April 28, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Pineapple, Canning, Oxidation

A man in a dark hoodie stands before an open refrigerator, cautiously sneaking a spoonful of cottage cheese straight from the container. The fridge glows with soft light, revealing milk, juice bottles, tomatoes, oranges, and lettuce. His wide eyes suggest he's hoping no one catches him in the act.

763. Yogurt or Cottage Cheese Directly Out of the Container

April 25, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from repeatedly eating yogurt or cottage cheese directly out of the container.

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

  • 47: Peanut Butter Fingering — Risky or Not?
  • Effect of Biting Before Dipping (Double‐Dipping) Chips on the Bacterial Population of the Dipping Solution
  • Listeria in the domestic environment | Emerald Insight
  • 316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl — Risky or Not?
  • Calcium - Cheese Science Toolkit
April 25, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Yogurt, Cottage cheese, Cross-contamination

762. Garlic Yogurt Dip 10 Days Post Making, Just Prior to Surgery

April 23, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating garlic yogurt dip 10 days post making, just prior to surgery.

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

  • Opinion on leveling kits ? : r/ToyotaTacoma
  • Garlic Aroma That Could Level Tacoma question : r/Zappa
  • BEST of Tacoma, WA Garlic Knots - Yelp
April 23, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Yogurt, Surgery, Garlic

A person is cleaning a reddish-orange spill inside a refrigerator using a scrub brush and a bowl of water. Some food items, like eggs, milk, and condiments, have been removed and sit on the counter. The refrigerator shelves hold strawberries, jars, and bottles, creating a tidy but active cleaning scene.

761. Cleaning the Fridge With Water Only

April 21, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cleaning refrigerator shelves using water only.

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

  • Domestic and Indoor Microbiology - ScienceDirect
  • Surface Sanitation and Microbiological Food Quality of a University Foodservice Operation
  • Domestic Refrigeration Practices with Emphasis on Hygiene: Analysis of a Survey and Consumer Recommendations - ScienceDirect
  • Microbiological Safety of Domestic Refrigerators and the Dishcloths Used To Clean Them in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - ScienceDirect
April 21, 2025 /Don Schaffner
Cleaning, Water, Refrigerator
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