A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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 ☣️

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 👍🏼

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 👍🏼

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 👍🏼

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 👍🏼

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 👍🏼