Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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ChatGPT image description: A food microbiologist in a lab coat, gloves, and mask carefully examines a caramel apple removed from a mailed package. The apple is wrapped in plastic and studded with nuts. The scientist’s furrowed brow and cautious posture convey concern about the apple’s safety.

895. Caramel Apple That's Been Shipped Priority Mail

February 27, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a candied or caramel apple that's been shipped priority mail.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

  • Growth of Listeria monocytogenes within a Caramel-Coated Apple Microenvironment | mBio
  • Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Apples and Caramel Apples - ScienceDirect
  • Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Commercially Produced, Prepackaged Caramel Apples Made from Bidart Bros. Apples | Listeria | CDC
  • Listeria and candied and caramel-coated apples | UMN Extension
  • Gourmet Candy Apples | Kandy Apples by K | Raleigh
February 27, 2026 /Don Schaffner
Apple, Caramel, Listeria

DALL·E - A dark and ominous image showing a single small apple slice inside a tiny, translucent plastic bag resting on a kitchen counter.

604. A Cut Apple That Has Been to School Twice

April 20, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sending a kid to school with a cut apple that has already been to school the day before.

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

  • ComBase
  • Growth of Listeria monocytogenes within a Caramel-Coated Apple Microenvironment | mBio
  • Multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to whole apples used in commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples: United States, 2014–2015 | Epidemiology & Infection | Cambridge Core
  • Survival of outbreak, food, and environmental strains of Listeria monocytogenes on whole apples as affected by cultivar and wax coating | Scientific Reports
  • Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Apples and Caramel Apples - ScienceDirect
  • Prevalence of Listeria Species on Food Contact Surfaces in Washington State Apple Packinghouses | Applied and Environmental Microbiology
  • https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/pdis.2000.84.2.177
  • Bacterial meningitis in the United States in 1995. Active Surveillance Team - PubMed
  • Foods | Free Full-Text | Updated Parameters for Listeria monocytogenes Dose–Response Model Considering Pathogen Virulence and Age and Sex of Consumer
April 20, 2024 /Don Schaffner
Apple, Cut fruit, Listeria, Time temperature control for safety food

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