Risky or Not?

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Risky or Not is a short podcast from Professor Ben Chapman from North Carolina State University, and Dr. Don Schaffner from Rutgers University. Dr. Don and Professor Chapman promise do their best not to waffle, dither, dissemble or equivocate, and to give straight up answers about whether something is risky or not.

Don Schaffner and Ben Chapman


    • Jul 20, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 1,197 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Risky or Not?

    956. Drinking From a Bathroom Sink Water Fountain at the Louvre

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2026 16:57


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking from a bathroom sink water fountain at the Louvre. Dr. Don - not risky

    955. Aspirin Canning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2026 18:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of aspirin canning. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Carla Schwan | UGA FACS Home - IAFNS Vegetables and Fruits FAQs - National Center for Home Food Preservation Aspirin - Wikipedia Canning With Aspirin Instead of Sugar – Front page story – Finding Eliza Regional Variations in Home Canning Practices and the Risk of Foodborne Botulism in the Republic of Georgia, 2003 - ScienceDirect Use of Aspirin (Salicylic acid) as food preservative - good or bad? : r/foodscience Evaluation of the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production - PubMed Salicylic acids and pathogenic bacteria: new perspectives on an old compound

    954. Making Your Own Maple Syrup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 13:21


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from making your own maple syrup. Dr. Don - not risky

    953. Herpes Spit Sandwich

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2026 11:06


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a sandwich contaminated with spit from someone with oral herpes. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Arby's customer claims sandwich came with vile surprise and lasting consequences | Fox News About Genital Herpes | Genital Herpes | CDC The possibility of spreading herpes simplex virus type 1 via food handling and sharing - PubMed Julie Jean | LinkedIn IAFP Announces 2025 Award Recipients - International Association for Food Protection Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award - International Association for Food Protection

    952. Smash Tacos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2026 21:22


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating smash tacos. Dr. Don - not risky

    951. Eating Boiled Fresh Tortellini From a Package With a Few Mold Spots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 9:23


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating boiled fresh tortellini from a package with a few mold spots. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Aldi's Best New Products Of 2026 (So Far) Extension of the shelf-life of fresh pasta using modified atmosphere packaging and bioprotective cultures - PMC Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Prepared Pasta Meals (June 2025) | FDA

    950. Takeout Chicken Tikka Masala Splashed With Hot Tub Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2026 8:10


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating chicken tikka masala splashed with hot tub water. Dr. Don - not risky

    949. Launching the "Good" Fireworks in Your Driveway

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2026 12:56


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from launching the "good" fireworks in your driveway. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Farm Film Report2 - YouTube Fireworks Safety Tips - National Safety Council Fireworks | CPSC.gov JPP reflects on Fourth of July accident that changed his life - ESPN

    948. Feeding Lunchmeat to a Baby

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 13:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from feeding lunchmeat to a baby. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️

    947. Pick Your Own Berries During a Norovirus Spike in June 2026

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2026 8:04


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating pick your own berries in an area during a norovirus spike in June 2026. Dr. Don - not risky

    946. Yesterday's French Toast That Sat Out for 3 Hours Before Refrigeration

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2026 10:49


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating French toast that was made yesterday and sat out for 3 hours before refrigeration. Dr. Don - not risky

    945. Frozen Ham From 1992

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2026 8:31


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from him that's been in the freezer since 1992. Dr. Don - not risky

    944. Infinite Sichuan Pickles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2026 15:30


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from a continuous homemade sichuan pickle fermenter Dr. Don - not risky

    943. Eating Food Cooked on a Restaurant Grill That Employees Have Used for Sex

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 7:10


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating food from a grill that had been previously used for sex. Dr. Don - not risky

    942. Meal Kit Chicken Prepared Four Days After Arrival

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2026 8:08


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating meal kit chicken that's been in the refrigerator for four days. Dr. Don - not risky

    941. Screwworm Infected Beef

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2026 10:33


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating beef from a screwworm infected cow. Dr. Don - not risky

    940. Rockpot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 26:03


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using a Rockpot. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Official Carolina Hurricanes Website | Carolina Hurricanes Michael: "@bugcounter I watched this sho…" - mas.to We got gifted a Rockpot and have had so much fun using it! - YouTube Social Media Analytics and Publishing - Fedica I'm looking forward to being part of the New Jersey FoodTech conference this year! For more details check out these cool images. Sharp Dressed Man - Wikipedia RockPot |The Portable Slow-Cooker. No Propane. No Electricity. Rockpot Recipe Collection – RockPot 254. Do It Yourself Pizza Oven — Risky or Not? Temperature Gauge – RockPot The rock has never said "can you smell what the rock is cooking?" : r/MandelaEffect

    939. Chicken Stock Out Overnight, Pressure Cooked Again for 30 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 16:19


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating chicken stock left on the counter overnight, and then pressure cooked again for 30 minutes. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Pressure cooker - Wikipedia Home canning - Wikipedia Frequently Asked Questions – Instant Pot Free Shipping! Farberware 6-Quart Aluminum Stovetop Pressure Cooker 15 PSI for Faster Nutrient Retention - Walmart.com 42: Reboiling Soup — Risky or Not? Thermal inactivation of Bacillus cereus spores during cooking of rice to ensure later safety of boudin - ScienceDirect Inactivation of Bacillus cereus spores by high hydrostatic pressure at different temperatures - PubMed Chicken or Turkey Stock - National Center for Home Food Preservation Heat resistance of Bacillus cereus emetic toxin, cereulide | Letters in Applied Microbiology | Oxford Academic Temperature Exerts Control of Bacillus cereus Emetic Toxin Production on Post-transcriptional Levels - PMC

    938. Licking the Chicken Marinade Spoon, While Pregnant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 10:43


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from licking the chicken marinade spoon, while pregnant. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ A review of Campylobacter infection during pregnancy: a focus on C. jejuni - ScienceDirect Investigating the influence of organic acid marinades, storage temperature and time on the survival/inactivation interface of Salmonella on chicken breast fillets - ScienceDirect Campylobacter jejuni infection during pregnancy: long-term consequences of associated bacteremia, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and reactive arthritist - PubMed

    937. Re-Using Teabags After Hours or Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 13:24


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from re-using teabags after hours or days. Dr. Don - not risky

    936. Keeping Candy in the Bathroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 11:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of keeping candy in the bathroom. Dr. Don - not risky

    935. Licking Someone Else's Ear Wax Off Your Finger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 11:14


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of licking someone else's ear wax off your finger Dr. Don - not risky

    934. Racing a Bike Through Belgian Toothpaste

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 27:14


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from racing a bike through belgian toothpaste (i.e., mud). Dr. Don - not risky

    933. Leaving Frozen Berries Out for 2 Hours, Refreezing and Reusing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 9:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving frozen berries out of refrigeration for 2 hours, refreezing and reusing later in a smoothie. Dr. Don - not risky

    932. Homemade Taco Seasoning Directly Added to Cooked Meat After Turning the Heat Off

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 8:32


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from adding homemade taco seasoning directly to cooked meat after turning the heat off. Dr. Don - not risky

    931. Freeze Dried Human Kibble

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 9:02


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating foods turned into freeze dried human kibble. Dr. Don - not risky

    930. Nine Day Old Pease Porridge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2026 12:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating pease porridge in the pot, nine days old. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Pease pudding - Wikipedia 249. Bringing Frozen Unrefrigerated Peameal Bacon Across the Border — Risky or Not? Growth of Bacillus cereus in fermenting tempeh made from various beans and its inhibition by Lactobacillus plantarum - PubMed Tyndallization - Wikipedia Fractional sterilization" or "intermittent processing - Healthy Canning in Partnership with Facebook Group Canning for beginners, safely by the book The Journal of Hygiene - Google Books

    929. Car Ranch

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 16:07


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating ranch dressing stored in a warm car for an extended period of time. Dr. Don - not risky

    928. Keeping Your Shampoo Bottle on the Floor of the Shower

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 14:40


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from keeping your shampoo bottle on the floor of the shower. Dr. Don - not risky

    927. Making Stock With Chewed or Licked Chicken Bones (Normal Style)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 11:22


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating stock made from chewed or licked chicken bones, where are the chicken has been eaten "normal style". Dr. Don - not risky

    926. Touching Your Phone in the Middle of Prepping Dinner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 13:53


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from touching your phone in the middle of prepping dinner. Dr. Don - not risky

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

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 11:30


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating someone else's leftover popcorn at the movies. Dr. Don - not risky

    924. Drinking a Bottle of Wine That Has Been Stuffed in a Thief's Trousers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 11:21


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking a bottle of wine that has been stuffed in a thief's trousers. Dr. Don - not risky

    923. 20 year old Cheez-Its

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2026 13:28


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming ~20 year old Cheez-Its. Dr. Don - not risky

    922. Thawing Frozen Fish in a Plastic Bag in a Fithy Sink

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 10:55


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks thawing frozen fish in a plastic bag in a fithy sink. Dr. Don - not risky

    921. Cottage Cheese With Bubbles In

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 13:28


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating cottage cheese that shows visible bubbles when opened. Dr. Don - not risky

    920. Eating Easter Eggs Dyed in the Toilet Bowl

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 10:36


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating Easter eggs dyed in the toilet bowl Dr. Don - not risky

    919. Homemade Unrefrigerated Hot Sauce From Heavy Metal Band at Their Merch Table

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 18:02


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming homemade unrefrigerated hot sauce purchased from a heavy metal band at their merch table. Listen for Ben's asterisk. Dr. Don - not risky

    918. Naked Fruit on the Seat of a Grocery Cart

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 19:02


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from placing a fresh fruit on the seat of a grocery cart without a bag. Dr. Don - not risky

    917. Making Butter While Running

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 11:50


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of making butter while running. Dr. Don - not risky

    916. Tasting the Sauce Before the Meat Is Cooked

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 9:36


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of tasting the sauce before the meat is cooked. Dr. Don - not risky

    915. Letting Patrons Use the Handwash Sink in a Sushi Restaurant Kitchen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2026 20:11


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks associated with letting patrons use the handwash sink in a sushi restaurant kitchen. Dr. Don - not risky

    914. Using Toaster After Splashing Raw Chicken Juice Inside if You Are Immunocompromised

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 13:29


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using toaster after splashing raw chicken juice inside if you are immunocompromised. Dr. Don - not risky

    913. Using the Top Paper Plate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 13:11


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using the top paper plate in a package of plates. Dr. Don - not risky

    912. Only Rinsing a Plastic Microwave Food Cover

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 13:43


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using a plastic microwave food cover that you only rinse and do not wash. Dr. Don - not risky

    911. Mixing People and Giardia Infected Dog Dishes in the Dishwater

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 10:59


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from mixing dishes from people and from Giardia infected dogs in the dishwater. Dr. Don - not risky

    910. Eating at a Two Star Michelin Restaurant With a One Star Hygiene Rating

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 12:14


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating at a two star Michelin restaurant with a one star hygiene rating Dr. Don - not risky

    909. Bulging Yogurt at Elevation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 9:21


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming yogurt that was bulging after transport to a higher elevation. Dr. Don - not risky

    908. Using Butter Rubbed on a Dirty Pan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 13:13


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using butter that was rubbed on a dirty pan. Dr. Don - not risky

    907. Vegetables Grown in Soil with Composted Botulinum Toxin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 23:43


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating vegetables grown in soil with composted botulinum toxin. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - not risky

    906. White Castle Burgers in a Cooler for 12 Hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 20:44


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating White Castle burgers in a cooler for 12 hours. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ White Castle (restaurant) - Wikipedia Menu | Krystal Restaurants Wilson, North Carolina - Wikipedia Like a Local: Wilson | Our State Conetoe, North Carolina - Wikipedia Wendell, North Carolina - Wikipedia Wendell Pierce - Wikipedia SQFI | SQF Unites 2026 ComBase Home USDA FSIS C. perfringens Risk Assessment Executive Summary Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Commercially Produced Cured Raw Meat Product Mixtures and Behavior in Cooked Products during Chilling and Refrigerated Storage - ScienceDirect We tried White Castle from an airport vending machine. It was bleak. - The Washington Post Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle - Wikipedia

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