Hot-weather food smarts. (healthy way to prepare and store food during summer months)

THE HEALTHY WAY TO PREPARE AND STORE FOOD You may have had food poisoning without realizing it because the symptoms -- cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever--are the same as the "flu" or the "bug." The easiest way to cut down on the risk of food poisoning is to follow this rule: Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and everything clean. Cooking foods to high temperatures (165[deg.]-212[deg.]F.) destroys much of the bacteria that cause food poisoning. Once food is cooked, it shoudl be kept at 140[deg.]-165[deg.]F. for no longer than two hours. The longer food is kept at room temperature, the more bacteria grow. (Bacteria thrive in temperatures ranging form 60[deg.]-125[deg.]F.)

If you're not going to keep food hot, then keep it cold. Your refrigerator should be at 40[deg.] F. or lower. It's a good idea to place a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to check. The freezer should be 0[deg.]F. or lower. To keep the temperature down, keep refrigerator doors shut. Also, don't overcrowd the refrigerator. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA), a jam-packed refrigerator does not allow perishable foods to cool to 40[deg.]F. quickly enough. That could mean trouble -- bacterial growth and food poisoning.

Keeping everything clean is also important. Bacteria can be transferred from unclean work surfaces, utensils, hands, or ingredients to the foods you are preparing. Cleanliness during preparation is the best way to prevent bacterial contamination of foods.

Here's h ow to be extra careful: Scrub hands, all work surfaces, and utensils (such as knives and cutting boards) before starting to cook. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination, scrub again between uses. Be especially careful with surfaces that have come in contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Always use clean sponges and dishcloths; over-used ones can spread germs. These precautions do mean extra work, but it's worth it when you think of the alternatives.

EATING OUTDOORS SAFELY

Since summer means picnics, beach parties, and barbecues, here are some ways to help keep outdoor summer dining safe:

* When you're shopping, buy the food last. Never leave groceries in a hot car while you run other errands.