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


    • Aug 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 1,057 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Risky or Not?

    816. Washing Produce With Just Plain Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 17:34


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of just washing produce in plain water vs. a fancy gizmo. Dr. Don - not risky

    815. Radioactive Shrimp

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 24:34


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating shrimp impacted by the recent recall. Dr. Don - not risky

    814. Eating Dane's Raw Teewurst

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 21:29


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming teewurst that is made from raw meat which says that it must be cooked to 165°F. Teawurst Bain-marie - Wikipedia Microbiological risk assessment of viruses in foods Part 1: Food attribution, analytical methods and indicators Hepatitis E - Wikipedia Hepatitis E Hepatitis E Basics | Hepatitis E | CDC Reimar Johne: Microbiology H-index & Awards - Academic Profile | Research.com Teewurst | Local Sausage From Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany | TasteAtlas A long-lasting outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium U323 associated with several pork products, Denmark, 2010 - PMC A large outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by an unusual sorbitol-fermenting strain of Escherichia coli O157:H- - PubMed Behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium in teewurst, a raw spreadable sausage - ScienceDirect

    813. Squishing a Bug That Smells Like Maple Syrup

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 11:31


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from squishing a bug that smells like maple syrup. Dr. Don - not risky

    812. Soaking Cedar Planks for Salmon in Room Temperature Water

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 19:47


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from soaking cedar planks to be used for cooking salmon in water at room temperature. Dr. Don - not risky

    811. Raspberries at Room Temperature for About 28 Hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 9:10


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of leaving raspberries at room temperature for about 28 hours. Dr. Don - not risky

    810. White Bread

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 14:54


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from white bread. Dr. Don - not risky

    809. Using a Towel With a "Big Brown Streak"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 16:15


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using a towel with a “big brown streak”. Dr. Don - not risky

    808. Sushi Left on the Counter Overnight

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2025 11:05


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating sushi left on the counter overnight. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ sushi - Risky or Not? 594. Expired Sushi in a Unplugged Refrigerator for 7 Hours — Risky or Not? overnight - Risky or Not? Scombroid fish poisoning: Factors influencing the production of histamine in tuna supply chain. A review - ScienceDirect Scombroid Fish Poisoning Associated with Tuna Steaks — Louisiana and Tennessee, 2006

    807. Eating Raw Frozen Spinach in a Smoothie

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 11:35


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating raw frozen spinach in a smoothie. Dr. Don - not risky

    806. Chicken From a Bag With Chicken in the Seam

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 11:38


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating cooked chicken from a bag where one piece of chicken was caught in the bag seam. Dr. Don - not risky

    805. Mamma Birding (Chewing Food for Other People)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 14:30


    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 ☣️ Instagram yuck someone's yum - Wiktionary, the free dictionary Nathan For You - Dumb Starbucks - Open for Business - YouTube Dumb Starbucks - Wikipedia What Happened To Stephanie Matto After 90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days Season 4? Stephanie Matto - IMDb

    804. Ben's Missing Thermometer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 16:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a beef hamburger cooked by Professor Ben without a hamburger. Dr. Don - not risky

    803. Unpasteurized Suitcase Saint Nectaire Cheese

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 25:27


    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 ☣️ Saint Nectaire River Cruises - European, Asian, Mississippi & Nile Cruises | Viking® Home - Kinderdijk Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia 729. Eating Raw Milk Gouda Cheese in an Unregulated Brazilian Facility — Risky or Not? Escherichia coli O121 outbreak associated with raw milk Gouda-like cheese in British Columbia, Canada, 2018 - PMC Enumeration of Escherichia coli O157 in Outbreak-Associated Gouda Cheese Made with Raw Milk - ScienceDirect pH and aw Saint-Nectaire

    802. Sealed Jar With Sauce on the Rim and No Pop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 16:14


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming food from a sealed jar that has dried sauce on the rim and might not have had the safety button down. Fedica text: Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Eat or Toss? Is it OK to eat? Canadian Pronunciation of Pasta Explained | TikTok Not Just Creamy Basil Pasta Sauce (Limited Edition) – NotJustCo. Fresh Produce & Groceries Ready To Deliver | Misfits Market Food Tampering, An Extra Ounce of Caution | FDA Button lids The Complete Guide to Safety Button Lid Jars: Uses, Benefits, and Best – KimEcopak

    801. Letting Your Drunk Partner Cook Raw Chicken While You Prepare a Fresh Salad in a Small Kitchen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 10:01


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of preparing a salad in a small kitchen while your drunk partner cooks raw chicken. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ About Campylobacter infection | Campylobacter | CDC Salmonella Infection | Salmonella Infection | CDC Chicken and Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC

    800. Linda's Vichyssoise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 17:04


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from consuming a very old swollen can of soup linked to a company that caused a botulism outbreak in 1971. Fedica text: Dr. Don - risky ☣️  Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Marvin Tung Student Case Competition | CIFST Marvin Tung - UBC Library Open Collections Spoilage of Canned Foods - Food Microbiology: Principles into Practice - Wiley Online Library Tainted Soup Laid to Poor Heating - The New York Times Bon Vivant Voluntarily Recalls All Vichyssoise From Dealers - The New York Times Botulism Information | County of Monterey, CA

    799. Combining Breastmilk Collected in Shells Over Three Days to Feed a Healthy Infant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 11:48


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of collecting breastmilk in shells over three days to feed to a healthy infant. Fedica text: Dr. Don - not risky

    798. Dave's Pancakes From Old Sourdough Leftovers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 16:17


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of making pancakes from old sourdough leftovers. Fedica text: Dr. Don - not risky

    797. Ben's Pants Pocket Forks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 19:15


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of putting plastic forks in your pants pocket for later use. Dr. Don - not risky

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025 16:01


    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

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 16:58


    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

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 10:53


    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

    793. Peeled, Hardboiled Eggs Stored Immersed in Water in the Fridge at a Chain Hotel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2025 20:16


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating peeled, hardboiled eggs stored immersed in water in the fridge at a chain hotel. Dr. Don - not risky

    792. Microwaving Your Kitchen Sponges

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 17:02


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from microwaving your kitchen sponges. Dr. Don - not risky

    791. Sourdough With Fruit Inclusions at a Farmer's Market From a Home Processor in NY

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 26:59


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from sourdough bread with fruit inclusions at a farmer's market from a home processor in NY. Dr. Don - not risky

    790. Eating From a Bag of Popcorn After Hype the Mascot Has “Eaten” From It

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025 13:11


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating from a bag of popcorn that a sports team mascot has touched with their costumed hand. Dr. Don - not risky

    789. Licking a Fake Cupcake That Has Been Repeatedly Tossed Into an Inflatable Donut on an Astroturf Field

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 17:49


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from licking a fake cupcake that has been repeatedly tossed into an inflatable donut on an astroturf field. Dr. Don - not risky

    788. 5-Year-Old Homemade Vanilla Extract From Reddit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 12:12


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming 5-year-old homemade vanilla extract as shown on reddit. Dr. Don - not risky

    787. Mayonnaise From a Recently Opened Jar Kept in a Cabinet Less Than a Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 12:22


    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

    786. Never Washing the Salad Spinner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 13:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from never washing your salad spinner with soap and water. Dr. Don - not risky

    785. Fried Chicken From a Old Public Restroom in a State Park

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 15:43


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating fried chicken from a from a public restroom in a state park that has been converted into a restaurant. Dr. Don - not risky

    784. Eating Major Intersection Grapes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 22:50


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from grapes grown at the intersection of two 4 lane highways. Dr. Don - not risky

    783. Homemade Chimichurri Left at Room Temp for Months

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 10:05


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating homemade chimichurri left at room temp for months. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ FPT Nummer et al Kimchi - Wikipedia Chimichanga - Wikipedia Modelling the pH of mayonnaise by the ratio of egg to vinegar - ScienceDirect

    782. Mechanically Tenderized Beef, Medium Rare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 21:13


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating mechanically tenderize steak medium rare. You might want to listen to the end... no really, the real end. Dr. Don - not risky

    781. Dubai Chocolate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 15:20


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from homemade Dubai chocolate. Dr. Don - not risky

    780. Playing Games at a Table in a Restaurant

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 10:30


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from playing games at a table in a restaurant. Dr. Don - not risky

    779. Eating Canned Beans From WWII in 2006

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 9:23


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating canned beans from WWII in 2006 as shown on The Simpsons. Dr. Don - not risky

    778. Out of Date Simpson's Ham

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 10:53


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating out of date ham as depicted on the Simpsons. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Arc - Robot or Not? #310 - The Incomparable Gregory Koch: “This episode aired on February 10, 1994, so assuming that's the date this is set …. Eating processed ham that expired five years ago - #RiskyOrNot? @benchapmanncsu.bsky.social @bugcounter.bsky.social” — Bluesky Amazon.com: North Carolina Mountain Cured Country Ham Trimmings 5-4 Oz. Packs : Grocery & Gourmet Food Hams and Food Safety | Food Safety and Inspection Service

    777. Eating Deviled Eggs Made From Home-Canned, Split Open Hard-Boiled Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 18:02


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating deviled eggs made from home-canned, split open hard-boiled eggs. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Canning Rebels | Hard boiled egg experiment | Facebook Text of “GREEN EGGS AND HAM” (by Doctor Seuss) Green Eggs and Ham - Google Books Food Safety Talk 319: I'm Feeling Botchy Today — Food Safety Talk Pickled Eggs - National Center for Home Food Preservation Why do Eggs Turn Green When Cooked? | Incredible Egg Full article: Investigation of a type C/D botulism outbreak in free-range laying hens in France Challenge studies with Listeria monocytogenes and proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in hard-boiled eggs packaged under modified atmospheres - ScienceDirect Pressure Canning Whole Eggs for the pantry! *NOT a G0v+ approved method #storingeggs #preservingeggs - YouTube Foodborne Botulism From Eating Home-Pickled Eggs — Illinois, 1997 Freezing Eggs - National Center for Home Food Preservation

    776. Eating a Half Eaten Candy Bar After the Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 18:47


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating a half eaten candy bar left on a desk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Don - not risky

    775. Coin in Cup for Freezer Safety After Power Outages

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 13:19


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using the coin in cup for freezer safety tip after power outages. Fedica text: Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Food Safety After a Storm | N.C. Cooperative Extension Does a Coin in a Cup of Ice Accurately Tell You If Your Freezer Lost Power? | Snopes.com Why Are People Putting A Cup Of Ice With A Coin On Top In Their Freezer? Temperature & Humidity | Lascar Electronics Amazon.com: tempi.fi Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensor - Developed in The USA - 24/7 Data Logger with Alarm – Bluetooth Smart Thermometer and Hygrometer - Bluetooth Only - Not WiFi : Industrial & Scientific

    774. Room Temperature Candied Lemon Peels

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 11:14


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from storing candied lemon peels at room temperature. Dr. Don - not risky

    773. Single Cup Hotel Coffee Makers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 13:36


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using hotel single cup coffee makers. Dr. Don - not risky

    772. Reusing Bench Flour

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 9:58


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from reusing bench flour. Dr. Don - not risky

    771. Eating Steaks Flipped With Licked Bare Hands

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 10:28


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating steaks flipped by someone who has licked their bare hands before flipping. Dr. Don - not risky

    770. Consuming Dairy Products Given Cuts to FDA

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 18:10


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming dairy products given recent cuts to FDA Dr. Don - not risky

    769. Onion and Shallot Black Mold

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 8:24


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from onions and/or shallots with black mold. Dr. Don - not risky

    768. Putting on Gloves Without Washing Your Hands

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 17:46


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of putting on gloves without first washing your hands as required by the FDA model food code. Dr. Don - not risky

    767. Eating and Drinking at Nudist Bar

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 10:53


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks eating and drinking at nudist bar. Dr. Don - not risky

    766. Room Temperature Overnight Oats

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 19:32


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating overnight oats made a room temperature Dr. Don - risky ☣️  Professor Ben - risky ☣️ oats - Risky or Not? Overnight Oats Recipe - How to Make Overnight Oats The Pioneer Woman Unnecessarily Sends a Terrible Message : r/foodnetwork The Truth About Overnight Oats - My Longevity Kitchen Spore germination - ScienceDirect Bacteria of Bacillus cereus group in cereals at retail - Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences - Tom 59, Numer 1 (2009) - AGRO - Yadda Potential of selected infant food formulas for production of Bacillus cereus emetic toxin, cereulide - ScienceDirect Detection of Emetic Bacillus cereus from Ready-to-eat Foods in Markets and its Production of Cereulide under Simulated Conditions -Journal of the FoodService Safety | Korea Science Bacterial Pathogens and Indicators in Oats - April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020 - inspection.canada.ca Oats: characteristics and quality requirements - ScienceDirect

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