Cookouts and picnics:
How to avoid food poisoning

Planning a picnic or cook out with friends and family? Be sure to prepare and handle food safely to avoid food poisoning. During summer months, when the air temperature and surfaces are warmer, bacteria can multiply rapidly and contaminate foods causing food poisoning symptoms like nausea, cramping, vomiting or diarrhea. Food bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes and, even in cooked foods that are left out more than 2 hours, bacteria can reach levels that can potentially cause symptoms.

To avoid food poisoning:

•  Use a meat thermometer and cook meats to a temperature of 160 degrees
•  Keep meat and other cooked foods on separate serving platters
•  Don't leave food out for long periods of time
•  Wash hands and all surfaces where food is prepared with hot, soapy water

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 people die from food-borne illnesses each year. Take steps to protect yourself, friends and family from food poisoning this summer!

For more information about food poisoning prevention and treatment, visit links below:

• Learn more ways to keep food safe from bacteria on the "Fight Bac!" Web site.
• Visit the Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling section of the Preferred Care online Health Encyclopedia.
• Get tips for Home Treatment of food poisoning in the Preferred Care online Health Encyclopedia.