A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

A frazzled Canadian food microbiologist stands on a beach house deck, clutching raw burger patties and staring in panic at a grill. Behind him, his relaxed family enjoys the seaside view. A cooler and beach towels add to the vacation setting, contrasting his anxiety over a missing meat thermometer.

804. Ben's Missing Thermometer

July 30, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a beef hamburger cooked by Professor Ben without a thermometer.

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

DALL·E: A roasted turkey sits on a platter, humorously featuring a popped-up timer in the foreground signaling it's done. In the background, a meat thermometer ironically shows the internal temperature is only 100°F. The scene is set on a bright kitchen counter, highlighting the amusing contradiction in the cooking process.

694. Relying on a Pop Up Thermometer

November 15, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from relying on a pop up thermometer.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

Kitchen Thermometers | Food Safety and Inspection Service
Developing a Citizen Science Method to Collect Whole Turkey Thermometer Usage Behaviors
Changes in Lighting Source Can Produce Inaccurate Assessment of Visual Poultry Doneness and Induce Consumers To Eat Undercooked Ground Turkey Patties - ScienceDirect
Merch — Risky or Not?

RIP OPS

558. Not Sanitizing a Food Thermometer

January 03, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of not sanitizing a food thermometer between uses.

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

63. Reusing a Meat Thermometer

November 04, 2020 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of reusing a meat thermometer.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼

Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼