A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

DALL·E image text: A ceramic bowl overflows with ripe, red raspberries, sitting on a sunlit kitchen counter. Soft daylight filters through a nearby window, casting a warm, nostalgic glow. The slightly worn surfaces and muted tones of the background contrast with the vivid freshness of the berries, suggesting they were recently picked and forgotten.

811. Raspberries at Room Temperature for About 28 Hours

August 15, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving raspberries at room temperature for about 28 hours.

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

DALL·E image text: A golden-crusted loaf of sliced white bread sits on a pastel blue countertop in a cheerful 1950s kitchen, surrounded by mint-green tiles, yellow curtains, and red accents, all bathed in soft daylight, creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

810. White Bread

August 13, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from white bread.

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

Six pieces of assorted sushi sit on a beige kitchen counter. The lighting is dim and moody, suggesting the sushi has been left out overnight. The rolls and nigiri look slightly dried, with a soft focus on the background showing tiled walls and part of a stainless steel utensil holder.

808. Sushi Left on the Counter Overnight

August 08, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating sushi left on the counter overnight.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

805. Mamma Birding (Chewing Food for Other People)

August 01, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating food someone else has chewed and sent through the mail to you.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

A man walks through a sunlit airport terminal holding a vintage suitcase that's popped open. A full wheel of Saint-Nectaire cheese is slipping out, partially exposed. He appears unaware, continuing forward casually. The scene blends travel routine with unexpected humor, set against a backdrop of windows and lounge seating.

803. Unpasteurized Suitcase Saint Nectaire Cheese

July 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of transporting unpasteurized Saint Nectaire Cheese from France to Canada

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

An open white cooler sits on the ground, filled with raw chicken pieces. A digital thermometer inserted into one piece reads 67°F. There’s no ice inside, and the cooler appears stained and weathered, suggesting it’s been sitting outdoors for a while during a camping trip.

796. Raw Chicken That Is at 67 °F After More Than 12 Hours

July 11, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating properly cooked chicken that warmed up to 67 °F after about 12 hours prior to cooking.

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

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A fried egg sizzles in a cast iron skillet filled with dark bacon or sausage grease. The yolk is vibrant and intact, surrounded by bubbly whites. In the background, a small jar of congealed grease sits on a beige cloth, suggesting long-term room temperature storage.

795. Cooking in Bacon and/or Sausage Grease Stored Room Temperature for Up to 30 Days

July 09, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cooking in bacon and/or sausage grease stored room temperature for up to 30 days.

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

A hotel breakfast buffet features a large stainless steel vat filled with lumpy oatmeal. A sign above reads “COMMUNITY VAT OF OATMEAL MADE EARLIER THAT DAY.” Surrounding the vat are stacked plates, bagels in a wire rack, glass cups, and coffee dispensers, creating a utilitarian yet oddly inviting scene.

794. Cold-Ish, Prepared Oatmeal From a Community Vat Made Earlier That Day

July 07, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks eating cold-ish, prepared oatmeal from a community vat made earlier that day.

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 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 ☣️

DALL·E image text: A glass bowl of overnight oats sits on a dark countertop, glowing ominously with green light. Wisps of toxic-looking green mist rise from the oats, surrounded by biohazard symbols, creating an eerie, dangerous atmosphere that hints at bacterial contamination.

766. Room Temperature Overnight Oats

May 02, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating overnight oats made a room temperature

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

This is a screen capture from the actual TikTok video.

759. Big Open Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature

April 16, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating peaches from big open jar of canned peaches kept at room temperature.

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

A green juice bottle sits on a car seat, partially frozen with visible ice crystals. Frost covers the car windows, and condensation clings to the bottle. The early morning light casts a cold, bluish hue, emphasizing the chill of a winter night spent inside the vehicle.

751. Leaving Green Juice in the Car Overnight in the Winter

March 28, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming Green Juice left in the car overnight in the winter.

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

A festive kitchen decorated for St. Patrick's Day features green streamers, shamrocks, and themed treats. In contrast, a shopping bag with a forgotten package of corned beef and bread sits quietly on the counter, slightly tucked away, hinting at a small oversight amid the celebration.

750. Corned Beef Left Out for a Couple of Hours

March 26, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating corned beef left out for a couple of hours.

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

Golden cookie-style lemon bars with glistening lemon curd sit on a rustic surface. Their edges are slightly dry and cracked, showing signs of age, yet they still look rich and tempting. The vibrant yellow curd contrasts beautifully with the soft, crumbly base, inviting a bite despite their two-week-old appearance.

749. Two Week Old Cookie Style Lemon Bars

March 24, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating two week old cookie style lemon bars.

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

The image shows a stainless steel pan with murky, dirty water sitting on a kitchen counter overnight. The water has a greasy film and floating residue. The pan has dried streaks on its sides. The counter has scattered crumbs and stains, illuminated by soft morning light filtering through a window.

745. Reusing Pasta Water That's Been Sitting Out Overnight

March 14, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks reusing pasta water that's been sitting out overnight.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image features a plate of freshly cooked shrimp with dipping sauce on a wooden table. In the background, a television displays a football game. A majestic owl with striking feathers perches nearby, gazing intently at the shrimp. The cozy living room setting has warm lighting, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

744. Superb Owl Shrimp That's Been Out of Temperature, Refrigerated and Reheated

March 12, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating Superb Owl shrimp that's been out of temperature, refrigerated and reheated.

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

Chopped onions, ginger, and garlic are neatly sun-dried on a clean wire rack over a wooden table in a modern suburban patio. The bright, soft sunlight highlights the fresh produce. The backdrop features a well-maintained backyard with a green lawn, stylish outdoor furniture, and a serene, upscale ambiance.

734. Sun Drying Onions, Ginger and Garlic for 4 Days

February 17, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of sun drying onions, ginger and garlic for 4 days.

Dr. Don - risky ☣️
Professor Ben - risky ☣️

The image shows an upright freezer in a dimly lit garage, surrounded by clutter like tools and boxes. The freezer door is slightly ajar, and a bright warning light near the top is prominently flashing, creating a sense of urgency against the muted tones of the garage setting.

719. Freezer Ajar for 24 Hours

January 13, 2025 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from food in a freezer ajar for 24 hours.

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

A festive scene with a plate of cookies, one bitten, and partially drunk milk left for Santa, alongside carrots for the reindeer. Warm light from a fireplace and Christmas decor, including a tree and stockings, set a cozy ambiance. In the background, Santa is glimpsed departing the room.

711. Leaving Cookies and Milk Out for Santa

December 25, 2024 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving cookies and milk out for Santa, and carrots for his reindeer.

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