Risky or Not?

A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

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ChatGPT image description: A conflicted man stands beside a trash can in a dim movie theater hallway, hesitating over a large tub of leftover popcorn resting on top. His hand hovers uncertainly as other patrons walk away. A nearby sign urges proper trash disposal, underscoring the awkward, tempting situation.

925. Eating Someone Else's Leftover Popcorn at the Movies

May 08, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating someone else's leftover popcorn at the movies.

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

  • 316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl — Risky or Not?
  • Effect of Biting Before Dipping (Double‐Dipping) Chips on the Bacterial Population of the Dipping Solution - Trevino- 2009 - Journal of Food Safety - Wiley Online Library
  • Seven filthy food habits and how dirty they really are
925. Eating Someone Else's Leftover Popcorn at the Movies
Risky or Not
Download
May 08, 2026 /Don Schaffner
Popcorn, Cross-contamination, Double dipping

316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl

June 17, 2022 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using cups to scoop water out of a shared bowl when it's really hot out.

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

  • chefcollinsevents on Twitter: "Helping someone do a event in city and we are using cups to scoop water out of this bowl to drink and we argued if #riskyornot @benjaminchapman @bugcounter (I think it’s fine it’s 90degrees out) https://t.co/3bVatuAtHn" / Twitter
  • Detection of Norovirus in Saliva Samples from Acute Gastroenteritis Cases and Asymptomatic Subjects: Association with Age and Higher Shedding in Stool - PMC
  • Norovirus Outbreaks Reported to NoroSTAT, Figure | CDC
  • Did You Just Eat That?: Two Scientists Explore Double-Dipping, the Five ... - Paul Dawson, Brian Sheldon - Google Books
316. Using Cups to Scoop Water Out of a Shared Bowl
Risky or Not
Download
June 17, 2022 /Don Schaffner
Water, Cross-contamination, Norovirus, Saliva, Double dipping
106.png

106. Sharing Dessert

February 12, 2021 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sharing dessert on Valentines (or any other) Day

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

  • Is Double-Dipping a Food Safety Problem or Just a Nasty Habit? - Scientific American
  • Effect of Biting Before Dipping (Double‐Dipping) Chips on the Bacterial Population of the Dipping Solution
  • Woman Who Licked Blue Bell Ice Cream Tub And Put It Back Could Face Charges : NPR
  • Emerging role of bacteria in oral carcinogenesis: a review with special reference to perio-pathogenic bacteria
  • Saliva and viral infections
  • Detection of Norovirus in Saliva Samples from Acute Gastroenteritis Cases and Asymptomatic Subjects: Association with Age and Higher Shedding in Stool - PubMed
106. Sharing Dessert
Risky or Not
Download
February 12, 2021 /Don Schaffner
Dessert, Saliva, Norovirus, Cross-contamination, Double dipping
Ted_Lasso.jpg

47: Peanut Butter Fingering

September 28, 2020 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of double dipping a finger into your peanut butter.
Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

  • Ted Lasso - Wikipedia
  • Effect of Biting Before Dipping (Double‐Dipping) Chips on the Bacterial Population of the Dipping Solution
47: Peanut Butter Fingering
Don Schaffner and Ben Chapman
Download
September 28, 2020 /Don Schaffner
Ted Lasso, Double dipping

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