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 18, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 1,040 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Risky or Not?

    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

    765. Big Open Spoiled Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 19:46


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben revisit episode 759, and talk about the risks of eating from big open spoiled jar of canned peaches at room temperature. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ 759. Big Open Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature — Risky or Not? Further Studies on Development of Clostridium Botulinum in Refrigerated Foods 1 - Tanner - 1940 - Journal of Food Science - Wiley Online Library Further Studies on Development of Clostridium botulinum in Refrigerated Foods - abstract Growth and Toxin Production by Clostridium botulinum in Sauteed Onions - ScienceDirect Journal of Food Science - Wikipedia

    764. Canned Pineapple From a Gray Container

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 17:48


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating canned pineapple from a container that's turned gray on the inside. Dr. Don - not risky

    763. Yogurt or Cottage Cheese Directly Out of the Container

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 9:01


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from repeatedly eating yogurt or cottage cheese directly out of the container. Dr. Don - not risky

    762. Garlic Yogurt Dip 10 Days Post Making, Just Prior to Surgery

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 11:32


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating garlic yogurt dip 10 days post making, just prior to surgery. Dr. Don - not risky

    761. Cleaning the Fridge With Water Only

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 10:25


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from cleaning refrigerator shelves using water only. Dr. Don - not risky

    760. Eggs Recalled for Salmonella

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 12:40


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating eggs recalled for Salmonella. Dr. Don - not risky

    759. Big Open Jar of Canned Peaches at Room Temperature

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 16:41


    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

    758. Reusing Plastic Drinking Water Jugs Without Washing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 18:42


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from reusing plastic drinking water jugs without washing. Dr. Don - not risky

    757. Rusty Can Opener

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 22:52


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using a rusty can opener. Eat or Toss? Is it OK to eat? Rusty Linux: Advances in Rust for Linux Kernel Development | Proceedings of the 18th ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement A microbial survey of food service can openers, food and beverage can tops and cleaning methodology effectiveness - Michaels - 2003 - Food Service Technology - Wiley Online Library The hygiene of slicing machines, carving knives and can-openers | Epidemiology & Infection | Cambridge Core The “Germiest” Items in the Kitchen – Savannah Valley District The importance of hygiene in modern society - ScienceDirect Clean the Germiest Home Items | NSF Clean the Germiest Kitchen Items | NSF John Roderick (musician) - Wikipedia Amazon.com: Chef Craft Select Can Opener with Tapper, 6.5 inches in length, Nickle Plated : Home & Kitchen Should I get another tetanus shot after seeing rusts in the can opener that I used? I got my tetanus shot last year, I was wondering if I need another one after possibly ingesting rust. Should I be concerned? - Quora You Don't Get Tetanus From Rust | Discovery 310: Arc — Robot or Not? — Overcast Tomato sprouts INSIDE the tomato?

    755. Reusable Straws

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 26:11


    753. Re-Heating Leftovers Indefinitely and the Lasagna of Theseus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 11:05


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of re-heating leftovers indefinitely and the lasagna of Theseus. Dr. Don - not risky

    752. Frozen Sliced Liver From the Last Century

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 8:54


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating frozen sliced liver from the last century. Dr. Don - not risky

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 15:19


    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

    750. Corned Beef Left Out for a Couple of Hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 13:48


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating corned beef left out for a couple of hours. Dr. Don - not risky

    749. Two Week Old Cookie Style Lemon Bars

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 13:09


    Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating two week old cookie style lemon bars. Dr. Don - not risky

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