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Artwork for Risky or Not?
Food Safety
Salmonella
Norovirus
Botulism
Germs
Clostridium Botulinum
Listeria
Bacteria
Health Risks
Pathogens
Coffee
Bacillus Cereus
Sushi
FDA
Foodborne Illness
Cross-Contamination
Gouda Cheese
E. Coli
Eggnog
Raw Chicken

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 to do their best not to waffle, dither, dissemble or equivocate, and to give straight up answers about whether something is risky or not.

PublishesDailyEpisodes935Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Life SciencesScienceHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Risky or Not?

Latest Episodes

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of keeping candy in the bathroom.

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

• hockey - Risky or Not?

• Carolina Hurricanes star Seth Jarvis' wild bathroom candy habits are getting so... more

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of licking someone else's ear wax off your finger

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

• The Traitors - Wikipedia

TaskMaster.Info - Taskmaster Australia, Season 4, Episode 2: W... more

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from racing a bike through belgian toothpaste (i.e., mud).

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

• Video | Facebook

• Belgian toothpaste anyone? | Cyclingnews Forum

• Belgian t... more

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 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

• Microbiological Surveillance Samp... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dr. Ellen Schumaker
Director of Outreach and Extension for the Safe Place Program
North Carolina State University
Episode: 771. Eating Steaks Flipped With Licked Bare Hands
Rachel Jackson
Founder of Eat or Toss
Eat or Toss
Episode: 757. Rusty Can Opener
Pastor Pinkston
A listener and question contributor to the podcast
Episode: 589. Hamburger Left in Car for Three Days

Hosts

Ben Chapman
Host and co-host; Professor from North Carolina State University; frequently appears as lead analyst on food safety risk questions.
Don Schaffner
Co-host; Professor of Food Science; frequent analyst of risk scenarios and evidence-backed guidance.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 169 ratings
  • They always answer my crazy questions

    I love this podcast. They answer food safety questions about whether something is risky or not. Some serious, some absurd like brewing tea in nacho cheese instead of water. That was a funny one and it was my idea. The hosts are awesome. And now they are doing a Simpsons arc which is my dream come true. Will they include the Simpsons waffle suggestions I suggested because I know how much they love waffle episodes? Only time will tell.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gregoryakoch
    United Statesa year ago
  • So helpful

    Previous to listening to Risky or Not? I knew most of the safe food handling rules I needed to know, which is great, but you often run into edge cases that don’t fit neatly under any of the rules. Since listening to the podcast, and gaining an understanding of the ‘why’ behind them, I can make informed decisions when faced with novel food safety questions, with an actual understanding of the specific risks involved in any particular food decision.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JustHappyToBeHere_
    United Statesa year ago
  • Short time listener; first time reviewer

    Just started listening to this show (Jul 2024). Really enjoying it. Love that it's a short podcast. Just have one recommendation that I have to imagine someone else has made: renaming the show "Risky or bisky?"

    If it's not risky, than it's like a biscuit. Chow down!🤓

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dunkinstirling
    United States2 years ago
  • Love it

    I love this show. I have learned so much and laughed along the way!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mally_Mal_Mal6789
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show!

    Love this show! The episodes are short but packed with lots of information. Don and Ben are great to listen to and make me laugh while I learn about the risks of eating food. But I obviously have to say that “the risks of not eating outweigh the risks of eating!” I’ve even submitted questions in a few times and received responses every time and have had my questions featured twice now. I only wish the episodes came out more frequently but the frequency is probably actually perfect to keep me int... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    michimochi
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes are concise and informative, with practical risk guidance.
Listeners appreciate the research references and real-world relevance.
Hosts are knowledgeable, engaging, and humorous at times.
They deliver clear, evidence-based answers on food safety questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

922. Thawing Frozen Fish in a Plastic Bag in a Fithy Sink
Q: Today's canonical question: is thawing frozen fish in a dirty sink with bags is risky or not?
The hosts conclude that while the setup is less than ideal and not technically pristine, the actual risk can be low if the fish is cooked thoroughly and minimal water exposure occurs; safer practices include transferring to a sealed container and thawing in the refrigerator or using a microwave in a pinch.
876. Continuously Reusing an Unwashed French Press for Coffee and Tea
Q: Is continuously reusing an unwashed French press for coffee and tea risky?
The hosts conclude that while mold could grow in the coffee grounds, they do not believe the risk is significant enough as long as visual checks are done before reuse.
807. Eating Raw Frozen Spinach in a Smoothie
Q: Is adding frozen spinach directly into a smoothie risky or not?
Generally, it is not risky for healthy individuals, but caution is advised for vulnerable populations.
808. Sushi Left on the Counter Overnight
Q: Is it safe to eat sushi left unrefrigerated overnight?
While it's possible to eat it without getting sick, the practice is generally deemed risky due to uncertainties about the sushi's condition and ingredients.
792. Microwaving Your Kitchen Sponges
Q: To microwave your kitchen sponges, Risky or Not?
Microwaving your kitchen sponges is not risky, but it has to be done properly to avoid potential hazards.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Risky or Not?

What is Risky or Not? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Short, data-driven discussions about everyday food safety risks delivered in bite-sized episodes. Hosts Ben Chapman and Don Schaffner tackle questions ranging from kitchen practices to surprising food scenarios, weighing microbial risk, packaging, and handling with references to studies and real-world context. The format blends concise analysis, practical guidance, and light humor, making complex safety concepts accessible for curious listeners who want quick, evidence-based answers.

A standout trait is the hosts' commitment to clear risk judgments without over-dramatizing outcomes, plus frequent links to research and practical takeaways for both consumers and professionals. The show likely appeals to science-minded, health- and food-consc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Risky or Not??

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1. Paper Trail
2. Science Vs
3. Judge John Hodgman
4. Gastropod
5. Decoder Ring

How many episodes of Risky or Not? are there?

Risky or Not? launched 6 years ago and published 935 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Risky or Not??

Recent guests on Risky or Not? include:

1. Dr. Ellen Schumaker
2. Rachel Jackson
3. Pastor Pinkston

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