» "Picnic perfect - Stop the ""summer bug"" caused by food-borne illnesses "

"Follow these food safety tips to help stop the bacteria that cause vomiting, diarrhea, and the other intestinal symptoms associated with food-borne illnesses: Discard any food that has been left out longer than two hours. "

» 4 tips for a safe 4th

Celebrate Independence Day without illness or injury. Food safety in the heat; always wear a life jacket when boating; most hazardous times for UV radiation; signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

» Bacteria and cutting boards

Which harbors more harmful bacteria - plastic or wood cutting boards?

» Before you fire up the grill

To guarantee a Grade-A cooking and eating experience at your next barbecue be sure to use these healthy tips.

» Egg-cellent information

"Store eggs on a shelf inside the refrigerator where the temperature is cooler -- not in the door. Hard-boiled eggs do not keep as well as raw eggs, and like any protein should not be kept out of the refrigerator longer than two hours. "

» Healthy seafood 101

"Eating seafood is a delicious way to obtain high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while avoiding high levels of cholesterol, fat, and calories. "

» How long for leftovers?

Play it safe by tossing out leftover beef and pork within four days of cooking and leftover chicken and turkey after two days. Gravy and stuffing should be discarded after two days.

» How to ace packing a school lunch

"You want your kids to have a nutritious and safe mid-day meal. To make sure a packed lunch makes it to the school cafeteria in A-plus condition, do your homework on food preparation. "

» Keep food gifts from going bad

"Food is a popular gift during the holidays. If you're planning to ship perishable items, follow these handy suggestions to ensure what you send or receive is safe to eat. "

» Leftover lowdown

"Put food away within two hours. Store leftovers in airtight, shallow containers. Remove turkey from the bone. Reheat any leftovers to 165 degrees. "

» Microwave cooking

"When cooking or reheating food in a microwave, make sure there are no cold spots left in the food where bacteria can survive - or overheated spots that could burn the mouth. "

» One less worry

"The avian or ""bird"" flu is not a food safety issue. When chicken, turkey, and eggs are properly handled and cooked, consumers cannot get avian influenza. "

» 'Perfect Picnic' pointers

"Summer time is a great time to celebrate food and fun outside. To make the most out of your outdoor meal, here are some things to keep in mind. "

» Planning tips for a successful holiday food event

"Prior to the event: Invite guests and request an RSVP so you know how much food to make. Ask guests if they have special dietary requirements. The day of the event: Wash, trim, and cut fresh vegetables on a clean cutting board. "

» Simple rules for storing holiday leftovers

"Refrigerate or freeze within two hours of cooking. At room temperature, bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses can double every 20 minutes. "

» Spoiling food safety myths

"Myth: Freezing foods kills harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Fact: Although freezing food prevents bacteria from multiplying, the only way to kill bacteria is to cook food to the proper temperature. "

» Squirreling away nuts and seeds

"Because nuts and seeds contain high levels of saturated fats, they can spoil if not stored properly. Keep them in a cool, dark place in glass or plastic jars to prevent them taking on strong odors or flavors from surrounding foods. "

» Stop food borne illnesses -- Pointers for the perfect picnic

"Bring moist towelettes or soap and water to wash your hands before, during, and after preparing foods. Defrost meat at home in the refrigerator, never at the picnic site, and don't reuse marinade unless it has been boiled. "

» Storage secrets to keep fall produce fresh

"Tips to store apples, cauliflower, leafy greens, fresh herbs, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini. "

» Temperature check

Use a meat thermometer to make sure all frozen poultry entrees are cooked to a temperature of 165F.

» The fish list

"Fish is an excellent source of protein and the omega-3 oils that protect your heart. However, young children and women who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. "

» Washing fruit

A mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar can be used to make an inexpensive wash for fruits and vegetables.

» When the lights go out

"If you lose power for any length of time, you need to take steps to keep you and your family safe from food poisoning. "