Make careful food choices and practice safe food handling for a beach picnic.

Picnics on the beach are one of the wonders of summer. They are simple to prepare, but you have to plan carefully to avoid turning a simple pleasure into an uncomfortable and dangerous bout of food poisoning. Food safety is all in the preparation and storage of your food. Hot foods, such as cooked chicken and other meats, are best cooled completely before being refrigerated or stashed in your cooler. Otherwise, these foods can become host to many bacteria that will reproduce in warm, moist conditions. Likewise, food products containing eggs, such as mayonnaise, are likely to spoil or even create a bacteria-friendly environment when allowed to warm up. Summer heat intensifies the risks, so be extra careful about what picnic food you choose and how you store it while there. With a little planning and caution, you and your family can rest assured and enjoy your picnic on the beach.