Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

  • Episodes
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Subscribe
  • Statistics
  • Merch
  • Search/Tags

DALL·E - A glass bottle floating in the ocean. The bottle is half full of liquid and has a skull and crossbones symbol on it. The ocean has gentle waves...

643. Drinking an Unknown Liquid Found in a Bottle at Sea

July 19, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of drinking from a bottle with unknown contents found at sea.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Apple News+ - Apple
  • Five Fishermen Dead After Drinking from Bottles Found at Sea
  • Bodies of fishermen who died after drinking from bottle found in sea brought to Tangalle
  • Five Fishermen Dead After Drinking from Bottles Found at Sea
  • Four die after drinking from bottles found in sea
  • ChatGPT on Finding Alcohol in the Ocean
  • At Least Five Fishermen Dead After Drinking Contents of Bottles Found at Sea
  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Big in Japan (phrase) - Wikipedia
July 19, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Alcohol, Bottles, Sea

DALL·E - A plastic bear-shaped bottle of honey with very little honey inside, leaving it about one-eighth full. There is a visible layer of water sitting on the honey.

642. Watery Honey

July 17, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from honey that diluted with water by 25%.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • On the nature of the relationship between water activity and % moisture in honey - ScienceDirect
  • Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Salmonella Inoculated into Creamy Peanut Butter with Modified Composition - ScienceDirect
  • 400. Simple Syrup Stored at Room Temperature — Risky or Not?
July 17, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Honey, Water activity

641. Using a Dishwasher With a Failing Heating Element

July 15, 2024 by Don Schaffner

DALL·E - An automatic dishwasher in a modern kitchen, with a flashing red light on its front panel. The red light displays the message 'NO HEAT.'

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using a dishwasher with a failing heating element.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • dishwasher - Risky or Not?
  • The survival of foodborne pathogens during domestic washing-up and subsequent transfer onto washing-up sponges, kitchen surfaces and food - ScienceDirect
  • Integrated model for the prediction of cleaning profiles inside an automatic dishwasher - ScienceDirect
  • Manual dishwashing habits: an empirical analysis of UK consumers - Berkholz - 2010 - International Journal of Consumer Studies - Wiley Online Library
  • method to evaluate factors influencing the microbial reduction in domestic dishwashers | Journal of Applied Microbiology | Oxford Academic
July 15, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Dishwasher, Heat

DALL·E - A person washing a very dirty mop in a public bathroom sink. The bathroom is slightly run-down, with tiled walls and a large mirror above the sink.

640. Using a Sink That's Been Used to Wash a Stadium Mop

July 12, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of washing your hands in a sink used for washing a stadium mop.

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

  • Vomiting as a Symptom and Transmission Risk in Norovirus Illness: Evidence from Human Challenge Studies | PLOS ONE
  • The handwash station: friend or fiend? - ScienceDirect
  • Handwashing sinks as the source of transmission of ST16 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, an international high-risk clone, in an intensive care unit - ScienceDirect
  • SN 58 - Availability of and Access to Toilets and Hand Washing Facilities | NC DOL
  • Act to Allow Food Stands to Provide Tables and Chairs for Customers to use while Consuming Drinks or Food upon the Premises.
  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Prevalence of Human Noroviruses in Commercial Food Establishment Bathrooms - ScienceDirect
  • Presence of human noroviruses on bathroom surfaces: a review of the literature - PubMed
July 12, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Mop, Bathroom, Norovirus, Handwashing, Cross-contamination

Nate’s actual pan

639. Nate's Meat Diet Cast Iron Pan Grease

July 10, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of reusing grease after cooking in a cast iron pan.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Foodborne Botulism -- Illinois
  • Heat Inactivation Rates of Botulinum Toxins a, B, E and F in Some Foods and Buffers - Woodburn - 1979 - Journal of Food Science - Wiley Online Library
  • The Wire: to evacuate - YouTube
July 10, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Grease, Cast iron, Botulism

DALL·E - A pot half filled with water sitting on a stove with the lid off, showing the visible water inside from an angle that clearly displays the water.

638. Using the Pot My Roommate Boils Her Diva Cup In

July 08, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using a pot used to boil a menstrual cup.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • bill quoted on X: "@bugcounter @benjaminchapman Here's a fun one: https://t.co/bDNohMNhQK Using the pot my roommate boils her diva cup in, risky or not™?" / X
  • Roommate boils diva cup then leaves the water : r/mildlyinfuriating
  • Are Menstrual Cups Safe? How They Work, Pros and Cons
July 08, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Diva cup, Menstrual cup, Cross-contamination

DALL·E - A bowl of sushi rice sitting at room temperature, with a thermometer reading 72°F placed in the rice. The scene shows the rice being moved to a refrigerator.

637. Holding Sushi Rice for 4 Hours and Then Refrigerating

July 05, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of holding sushi rice for 4 hours and then refrigerating for later consumption.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Association of Food and Drug Officials – Many perspectives, one voice, since 1896.
  • Time as the Public Health Control, Porter County Indiana
  • Acidification of Sushi Rice for Food Safety Snohomish County, Washington
  • Predictive model for growth of Bacillus cereus during cooling of cooked rice - ScienceDirect
  • US FDA Job Aid: Time and Temperature Control for Safety Foods
  • Parameters for Determining Inoculated Pack/Challenge Study Protocols - ScienceDirect
July 05, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Sushi rice, Time as a public health control

DALL·E - A glass overflowing with nacho cheese, with no nacho chips visible. A teabag that has just been pulled out of the cheese, heavily covered and dripping with cheese.

636. Brewing Tea in Nacho Cheese

July 03, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of brewing tea in nacho cheese.

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

  • Foodborne Botulism Outbreak Associated With Commercial Nacho Cheese Sauce From a Gas Station Market - PubMed
  • Foodborne Botulism Outbreak Associated With Commercial Nacho Cheese Sauce From a Gas Station Market | Clinical Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic
  • Tea in Nacho Cheese
July 03, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Cheese, Tea

DALL·E - An open refrigerator with various items inside. The main focus is a fast food chicken taco wrapped up tightly in packaging, which has the name of a generic fast food restaurant.

635. Eating 3-Day-Old Fast Food Chicken Tacos

July 01, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating properly refrigerated 3-day-old fast food chicken tacos.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Carnac the Magnificent - Wikipedia
  • Who Has The Worst Fast Food Leftovers? - YouTube
  • FoodKeeper App | FoodSafety.gov
July 01, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Chicken, Leftovers, Tacos

DALL·E - A person sitting in the stands of a baseball game, surrounded by other spectators. The person is holding a hotdog and looking at it suspiciously.

634. Before the 5th Inning Baseball Hotdog

June 28, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating a hotdog at a baseball game before the 5th inning.

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

  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Bad Religion (logo) | The Answer | The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995
  • Chatham Anglers | The Chatham Athletic Association | Cape Cod Baseball League
  • Pawtucket Red Sox - Wikipedia
  • Worcester Red Sox | MiLB.com
June 28, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Hotdog, Sports

DALL·E - An open mailbox with a pan of lasagna inside. The mailbox is located at the edge of a suburban street, with a neatly trimmed lawn and a few houses visible.

633. Mailbox Lasagne

June 26, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of making lasagna in your mailbox.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Anybody remember laughter?
  • Merch — Risky or Not?
  • Kevin Budnik
  • Tennessee Weatherman Shares Recipe for "Mailbox Lasagna"
  • If I see a whole lasagna in the mailbox I'm taking it : r/USPS
  • Special Delivery: Mailbox Lasagna - BitterSweet
June 26, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Lasagna, Cooking

DALL·E - A hand pouring food out of a bag labeled 'beef', but the food coming out is clearly chicken. The hand is mid-pour, and the chicken pieces are detailed.

632. Eating a Food Recalled for Misbranding if You Are Not Allergic to Any of the Ingredients

June 24, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a food recalled for misbranding if you are not allergic to any of the ingredients

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

  • Sage on X: "@bugcounter @benjaminchapman Just curious, assuming you’re not allergic to eggs, why does FSIS consider this so risky they need to be discarded? Is it because it was such a monumental lapse in QC that they’re hedging for other issues? https://t.co/SU0aOtSuiH https://t.co/LtUxW34tS0" / X
  • Conagra Brands, Inc., Recalls Frozen Beef Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens | Food Safety and Inspection Service
  • Beef & Broccoli labels
  • Out of an Abundance of Caution definition | Cambridge English Dictionary
  • P.f. Chang's Frozen Orange Chicken Meal - 22oz : Target
June 24, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Allergens, Recalled food, Mislabeling

DALL·E - A very hot looking turkey sitting in a dimly lit garage. The turkey has exaggerated sweat droplets and looks exhausted.

631. Thawing a Whole Turkey in a Hot Garage Twice

June 21, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks thawing a whole turkey in a hot garage twice.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in US Meat and Poultry - PMC
  • Thawing at Ambient Temperature on the Counter - O. P. Snyder
June 21, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Turkey, Thawing, Room temperature thawing

DALL·E - A queasy-looking person sitting in a restaurant window. The person has a pale face, a hand on their stomach, and a worried expression. The restaurant window displays and inspection certificate with a big letter C.

630. Eating at a New York City Restaurant With a "C" Rating

June 19, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating at a New York City restaurant with a "C" rating.

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

  • Gallaghers Steakhouse has been a staple of New York’s Theater District since 1927. Some believe, to this day, it rivals other famous New… | Instagram
  • Restaurant Grading System - Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center
  • ABCEats-Restaurants
  • John Roderick (@johnroderick) • Instagram photos and videos
June 19, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Restaurant, Restaurant ratings

DALL·E - A hand reaching down to pick up dog poop, with the hand inside a plastic bag that is falling apart, exposing parts of the hand.

629. Picking Up Dog Poop Using a Composable Bag

June 17, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from picking up dog poop using a composable bag.

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

  • Amazon.com : Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags, Guaranteed Leak Proof and Extra Thick Waste Bag Refill Rolls For Dogs, Unscented, 120 Count : Pet Waste Bags : Pet Supplies
  • Amazon.com: Doggy Do Good Poop Bags | Dog Waste Bags | Unscented, 38% Vegetable-Based, Thick & Leak Proof, Easy Open | Standard Size | 60 Count : Pet Supplies
  • Amazon.com: BioBag (USA), The Original Compostable Bag, 3 Gallon, 100 Total Count, 100% Certified Food Scrap Bags, Kitchen Compost Bin Compatible : Health & Household
June 17, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Poop, Dog poop, Cross-contamination

DALL·E - An open automatic dishwasher filled with a variety of fresh produce. Inside the dishwasher, there are colorful fruits and vegetables.

628. Washing Produce in the Dishwasher

June 14, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of washing produce in the dishwasher.

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

  • Pamela N. Martinez Person Detail
  • Home | New Mexico State University | BE BOLD. Shape the Future.
  • Instagram video by Lara • Jun 3, 2024 at 12:35 PM
  • dishwasher - Risky or Not?
  • Do Dishwashers Use Hot Water or Heat Their Own? | Maytag
  • Dishwashers as an Extreme Environment of Potentially Pathogenic Yeast Species - PMC
  • 90. Dishwasher Seals — Risky or Not?
  • Original MayTag Repairman TV Commercial - YouTube
  • 1989 Maytag Repairman Christmas Commercial - YouTube
  • Gordon Jump - Wikipedia
June 14, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Produce, Dishwashers

DALL·E - A cocktail with a giant ice cube in a glass. The ice cube has an ominous dark black streak running through the middle of it.

627. Drinking a Cocktail Using Ice From a Core Sample From Your Birth Year

June 12, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of drinking a cocktail using ice from a core sample from your birth year.

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

  • xkcd: Ice Core
  • bioRxiv.org - the preprint server for Biology
  • Camellia sinensis - Wikipedia
  • Diversity and association of psychrophilic bacteria in Antarctic sea ice | Applied and Environmental Microbiology
  • Professor Thomas McMeekin AO | Australian of the Year
  • About Ice Cores | NSF Ice Core Facility
  • Human and Environmental Impacts of Volcanic Ash
June 12, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Ice, Volcanos, Ash, Toxicology

DALL·E - A photo-realistic image of a very angry-looking bear standing on two legs. In one hand, the bear is carrying a bag full of jerky, and in the other hand a rare steak.

626. Eating Rare Bear Meat

June 10, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating bear meat.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Family stricken with rare brain worms after eating undercooked bear | Ars Technica
  • Outbreak of Human Trichinellosis — Arizona, Minnesota, and South Dakota, 2022 | MMWR
  • Trichiniasis: Report of an Outbreak Caused by Eating Trichinous Bear Meat in the Form of Jerky | JAMA Network
  • A common-source outbreak to trichinosis from consumption of bear meat - ProQuest
  • Outbreak of Trichinellosis Associated with Eating Cougar Jerky | The Journal of Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic
  • Trichinella Nativa Outbreak With Rare Thrombotic Complications Associated With Meat From a Black Bear Hunted in Northern Ontario | Clinical Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic
  • Trichinella spiralis: Effect of high temperature on infectivity in pork - ScienceDirect
  • Trichinae - Pork Information Gateway
  • RFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain - The New York Times
June 10, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Bear meat, Trichina, Trichinosis, Parasite

DALL·E - A clear plastic bag filled with baby carrots. There is a small amount of liquid at the bottom of the bag, and a faint, whimsical hint of a few happy microorganisms.

625. Eating Expired Baby Carrots

June 07, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating baby carrots passed their expiration date.

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

  • 556. Storing Celery and Carrots in Water in the Refrigerator — Risky or Not?
  • 1: Non-Canonical First Episode — Risky or Not?
  • Inhibitory effects of raw carrots on Listeria monocytogenes | Applied and Environmental Microbiology
  • Inhibition of foodborne pathogens by native microflora recovered from fresh peeled baby carrot and propagated in cultures - PubMed
  • ComBase Models Are Valid for Predicting Fate of Listeria monocytogenes on 10 Whole Intact Raw Fruits and Vegetables - ScienceDirect
  • How to Store Carrots and Make Them Last | Glad®
  • Grimmway Farms Voluntarily Recalls Certain Retail-Packaged Carrots Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination | FDA
June 07, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Carrots, Listeria, Shelf-life

DALL·E A singara pastry sitting on a pile of dirty money next to a glass of sangria on a rustic table.

624. Arden's Lukewarm Singara

June 05, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming lukewarm singara in Bangladesh that might have been sitting on some money.

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

  • Easy Traditional Red Sangria | Minimalist Baker Recipes
  • Singara Recipe | Bengali Shingara » Dassana's Veg Recipes
  • Dan Bern quote: So often these days eating Indian food passes for spirituality...
  • Money and transmission of bacteria | Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control
June 05, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Singara, Samosa, Time temperature control for safety food, Cross-contamination
  • Newer
  • Older

Powered by Squarespace