Don Schaffner
@bugcounter.bsky.social
Distinguished Professor, Extension Specialist and podcaster.
Views my own.
The best way to get your topic covered on our Risky or Not podcast is to use this link: bit.ly/RiskyorNot
Views my own.
The best way to get your topic covered on our Risky or Not podcast is to use this link: bit.ly/RiskyorNot
It was an editorial decision to use a hippie in the image. Not that hippies are dirty... He does have a kind of John Roderick vibe, although famously John is more of a preppy.
862. Wearing "New" Clothes Without Washing — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of wearing "new" (to you) clothes without washing first. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
It was an editorial decision to use a hippie in the image. Not that hippies are dirty... He does have a kind of John Roderick vibe, although famously John is more of a preppy.
We don't do follow-up on this show, but it's perfectly OK to do an episode in response to feedback.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Check out the super weird thermometer that the inspector is using. I'm not sure what kind of numbers it's got, and what's with that weird side probe?
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Check out the super weird thermometer that the inspector is using. I'm not sure what kind of numbers it's got, and what's with that weird side probe?
861. Russel's 120 °F Prime Rib — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from Russel's 120 °F prime rib recipe, which is a follow up to episode 854, Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
December 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We don't do follow-up on this show, but it's perfectly OK to do an episode in response to feedback.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Check out the super weird thermometer that the inspector is using. I'm not sure what kind of numbers it's got, and what's with that weird side probe?
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Check out the super weird thermometer that the inspector is using. I'm not sure what kind of numbers it's got, and what's with that weird side probe?
I think apple cider vinegar is gross (whether it's pasteurized or not), but the unpasteurized version is definitely not risky for the reasons we discussed (pH, pH, and pH), even for immunocompromise people.
860. Unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar for Pregnant or Immunocompromised People — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar for pregnant or immunocompromised people. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I think apple cider vinegar is gross (whether it's pasteurized or not), but the unpasteurized version is definitely not risky for the reasons we discussed (pH, pH, and pH), even for immunocompromise people.
Thanks to Chef Matt for suggesting today's episode. This was an interesting way of getting to not risky
859. Medium Rare Duck Breast and HPAI — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of contracting high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) from medium rare duck breast. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Thanks to Chef Matt for suggesting today's episode. This was an interesting way of getting to not risky
Monday's episode just recorded (and posted) today. It was fun to do a deep dive on why water bath canning is not recommended for low acid canned foods.
857. Water Bathed Canned Turkey Noodle Soup — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of turkey noodle soup that's been boiling water bath canning for 2 hours. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
December 3, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Monday's episode just recorded (and posted) today. It was fun to do a deep dive on why water bath canning is not recommended for low acid canned foods.
Today's episode just posted. www.riskyornot.co/ep... this one was over the "risky" line for both of us. More evidence that ChatGPT is probably not going to take over the world anytime soon. Especially if it has to be plugged in.
858. Crockpot Chicken at Room Temperature "All Day" — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of holding raw chicken at room temperature "all day" before cooking. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
December 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Today's episode just posted. www.riskyornot.co/ep... this one was over the "risky" line for both of us. More evidence that ChatGPT is probably not going to take over the world anytime soon. Especially if it has to be plugged in.
Today's episode is topical if not holiday themed.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Ran into a lot of interesting guardrails in creating this image: chatgpt.com/share/69...
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Ran into a lot of interesting guardrails in creating this image: chatgpt.com/share/69...
856. Feeding Sealed Byheart Baby Formula to a Baby — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of feeding recalled sealed Byheart baby formula to a baby. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
November 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Today's episode is topical if not holiday themed.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Ran into a lot of interesting guardrails in creating this image: chatgpt.com/share/69...
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Ran into a lot of interesting guardrails in creating this image: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Reposted by Don Schaffner
this year, rather than stressing about thanksgiving (despite all the useful risky or nots) we are going out to dinner for the first time for the holidays! hopefully the chef is a listener!
November 27, 2025 at 2:43 AM
this year, rather than stressing about thanksgiving (despite all the useful risky or nots) we are going out to dinner for the first time for the holidays! hopefully the chef is a listener!
In case you were thinking about cooking your American Thanksgiving turkey to 155°F tomorrow, this is the perfect post for you
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
And yet another comically bad ChatGPT thermometer.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
And yet another comically bad ChatGPT thermometer.
855. Cooking Raw Turkey to 155 °F — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of cooking raw turkey to only 155 °F Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
In case you were thinking about cooking your American Thanksgiving turkey to 155°F tomorrow, this is the perfect post for you
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
And yet another comically bad ChatGPT thermometer.
www.riskyornot.co/ep...
And yet another comically bad ChatGPT thermometer.
Yes but how many of those are for hockey?
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Yes but how many of those are for hockey?
Today's episode was a bit late but it's done and the rest of the episodes for the week are also set to go. No AI artwork, just Chef John touching his meat 🙄
854. Chef John's Perfect Prime Rib — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of making rare roast beef. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Today's episode was a bit late but it's done and the rest of the episodes for the week are also set to go. No AI artwork, just Chef John touching his meat 🙄
This was a fun one to record. It was also a fun one to do without recording, but you’ll never know.
853. Using a Swiss Army Knife Toothpick — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using a swiss army knife toothpick. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
November 22, 2025 at 12:40 AM
This was a fun one to record. It was also a fun one to do without recording, but you’ll never know.
I've been lax about posting of social media re: Risky or Not, but I'm trying to get back on it. These two episodes just posted. www.riskyornot.co/ep... and www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
851. Eric's Fizzy Grapefuit Juice — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming in date but fizzy grapefruit juice from a mechanically stressed container. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
November 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I've been lax about posting of social media re: Risky or Not, but I'm trying to get back on it. These two episodes just posted. www.riskyornot.co/ep... and www.riskyornot.co/ep...
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
I know I have not posted about risky or not episodes in a while, but we have been steadily putting them out. Today we met to record a bunch more, but forgot to hit the record button. We will meet next week and hopefully get caught up and even get a little bit ahead.
November 19, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I know I have not posted about risky or not episodes in a while, but we have been steadily putting them out. Today we met to record a bunch more, but forgot to hit the record button. We will meet next week and hopefully get caught up and even get a little bit ahead.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Food Safety Talk 330: Some People Call Me Dr. Sweaty with @bugcounter.bsky.social is now up. This one has everything: Cartridge blowing, Selling Sunset pitches, radioactive shrimp and sweat
www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/11/10/food-safety-talk-330-some-people-call-me-dr-sweaty
www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/11/10/food-safety-talk-330-some-people-call-me-dr-sweaty
Food Safety Talk 330: Some People Call Me Dr. Sweaty — Food Safety Talk
After warming up on hockey, baseball and other things, the guys dig into the CDC's scaling back of FoodNet as well as budget cuts ending some federally supported nutrition education. The conversation ...
www.foodsafetytalk.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Food Safety Talk 330: Some People Call Me Dr. Sweaty with @bugcounter.bsky.social is now up. This one has everything: Cartridge blowing, Selling Sunset pitches, radioactive shrimp and sweat
www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/11/10/food-safety-talk-330-some-people-call-me-dr-sweaty
www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/11/10/food-safety-talk-330-some-people-call-me-dr-sweaty
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Reposted by Don Schaffner
you can’t infringe on our right to bear hoagies
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 AM
you can’t infringe on our right to bear hoagies
Reposted by Don Schaffner
November 1, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Some moments call for statesmanship. And sometimes you just need a guy from Chicago, Illinois.
November 6, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Some moments call for statesmanship. And sometimes you just need a guy from Chicago, Illinois.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Because Jon just asked: uncarved, intact pumpkins do last at room temp for a long time and can be safely consumed as you would any hard winter squash that can be stored long term. You just don't want to eat anything that's been cut into and left out.
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Because Jon just asked: uncarved, intact pumpkins do last at room temp for a long time and can be safely consumed as you would any hard winter squash that can be stored long term. You just don't want to eat anything that's been cut into and left out.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Another one is up! Food Safety 329: Thing 1 and Thing 2 with @bugcounter.bsky.social and a couple of special guest is now up at www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/10/16/food-safety-329-thing-1-and-thing-2 This one has everything: Hampsterdam, Intergalactic, blue hogs, and hand soap.
Food Safety 329: Thing 1 And Thing 2 — Food Safety Talk
In this episode Ben and Don are joined by not one, but two(!) mystery guests. In a surprise twist, Ben actually gets both correct (sorry for the spoiler). Kaitlyn Casuli and Dylan Bickers join the guy...
www.foodsafetytalk.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Another one is up! Food Safety 329: Thing 1 and Thing 2 with @bugcounter.bsky.social and a couple of special guest is now up at www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/10/16/food-safety-329-thing-1-and-thing-2 This one has everything: Hampsterdam, Intergalactic, blue hogs, and hand soap.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Had the delightful opportunity to join @bugcounter.bsky.social and Professor Ben on the most recent Food Safety Talk! Please enjoy Ben’s first W in 20 Questions, and pondering whether or not raw milk drinkers just want to drink half and half. overcast.fm/+AAAbu7YrKaY
Food Safety 329: Thing 1 And Thing 2 — Food Safety Talk
In this episode Ben and Don are joined by not one, but two(!) mystery guests. In a surprise twist, Ben actually gets both correct (sorry for the spoiler). Kaitlyn Casuli and Dylan Bickers join the guy...
overcast.fm
October 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Had the delightful opportunity to join @bugcounter.bsky.social and Professor Ben on the most recent Food Safety Talk! Please enjoy Ben’s first W in 20 Questions, and pondering whether or not raw milk drinkers just want to drink half and half. overcast.fm/+AAAbu7YrKaY
Reposted by Don Schaffner
Food Safety Talk 328: Kick The Kids Off Of the Internet with @bugcounter.bsky.social is now up! This one has everything, Fernando Valenzuela, Weekend at Bernie's, Boney M and vichyssoise www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/9/24/food-safety-talk-328-kick-the-kids-off-of-the-internet
Food Safety Talk 328: Kick the Kids Off Of the Internet — Food Safety Talk
Ben and Don start the episode talking about IAFP, some upcoming live shows (one that has already happened) and baseball (which Ben is very much into right now). The guys talk about their summer vacati...
www.foodsafetytalk.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Food Safety Talk 328: Kick The Kids Off Of the Internet with @bugcounter.bsky.social is now up! This one has everything, Fernando Valenzuela, Weekend at Bernie's, Boney M and vichyssoise www.foodsafetytalk.com/food-safety-talk/2025/9/24/food-safety-talk-328-kick-the-kids-off-of-the-internet