‘ fi “News Safe food in the sun Keep food safety in mind when you pack up for picnics this sum- mer. Although picnics present greater than average risk of food spoilage or food poisoning, the danger can easily be avoided with proper precautions. Nurses point out that most bac- teria are harmless and many are even beneficial. Some, however, are potentially harmful. Among the harmful variety are the few that “cause 95 per cent of all food-bome illness. They are commonly found in the nose of healthy human beings, in feces, in the soil, in raw meat and on raw vegetables. Eating small numbers of such bacteria usually causes no harm. Consumption of large quantities, - though, leads to illness. Because they are living organisms, they take in food, give off wastes, grow and multiply. They thrive in warm, moist foods and can double their humber about every 20 minutes when the temperature is between * 80 and 110 degrees E At this rate, 100 bacteria can multiply to well in excess of 1,600 million in the course of eight hours. And that causes trouble. Most of us have, at one time or another, had nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. What we called the flu may have been food poisoning. Bacterial food’ poison- ing usually comes on within a few hours and resolves itself in 24 hours. Although sufferers may be very ill for a few hours, they do not experience the high fever, general- ized aching, and respiratory symp- toms that are typically associated with the flu virus. To plan for picnics, nurses advise that you choose foods that are usually safely kept at room temperature without bacterial growth. Take fresh fruits and vege- tables, breads and crackers, canned spreads and cheeses that can be opened and used on the spot. Aged cheese, such as cheddar and Swiss, do well for an hour or two, but should be carried in an ice chest for longer periods. If you take potentially unsafe foods such as raw meat, milk, mayonnaise Or creamy desserts, take a cooler packed with ice and be sure it is out of the sun. If prepared sandwiches are a must, make them the evening before, wrap them securely and refrigerate them overnight. Wrap again in additional paper and store them in the cooler at the picnic or next to juices that have also been refrigerated. One useful idea is to freeze cartons of juice that can serve as ice packs early in the day and cool drinks later. Meat requires special handling. If it has been marinated, wash the dish with hot soapy water or use a fresh plate to serve the cooked ‘meat. Otherwise bacteria left on the plate from the raw meat can contaminate and grow on the cooked meat. Ground meat is especially sus- ceptible to bacterial contamina- tion. Much more handling has occurred and there is a much greater surface area exposed in the process. To be safe, it is best to cook hamburger to at least medium well done. Food safety is not difficult. Pre- cautions just need to be remem- bered and practised on the spot. Summer picnics: are long remem- bered by many of us as highlights of the season. Keep them healthy and happy for everyone. The Review - Wednesday, July 18,1990 — B13 656-1151 Monday July 23 6:00 pm KEEP FIT FOR BABY - No-Impact Aerobics. A light workout designed specially for expecting mothers- great for be- ginners and seniors too! Sponsored by Originals Active Wear. 6:30 pm THE HELEN SIMS SHOW - Cooking. Join Helen as she blends good cooking and good humour into 30 minutes of tasty fun! Tonight, summer salmon and salad a fresco with Richard Kirk! 7:00 pm APERTURE - Photog- raphy. Join host Bradford Stephen- son in this instructional series on the art and science of 35mm pho- tography. 7:30 pm FIRED UP - Artists. Shirley Carter hosts this 7-part series 0n contemporary works in clay and profiles the B.C. artists of "Fired Up". 8:00 pm ARTS CALENDAR - Arts & Culture. Current events from the Victoria Arts Council with host Erika Kurth. Tuesday July 24 6:00 pm TO BE ANNOUNCED 6:30 pm SPECIAL PRESEN- TATION - Sidney Days. High- lights of the 1990 Sidney Days celebration. 7:00 pn MLA REPORT - With Hon. Mel Couvelier. Host Barbara Fraser talks with local MLA and Minister of Finance Hon. Mel Couvelier on this pre-taped pro- gram. BeCareful —_’ with Fire | in the Forest | B.C’s Most Valuable "lI" Natural Resource 7:30 pm IN COUNCIL: - Civic Issues. “Gavel-to-gavel" coverage of the July 23rd meeting of the Sidney Town Council. Wednesday July 25 6:00 pm SPECIAL PRESEN- TATION - Peninsula Dance School. The Peninsula Dance School presents the original story ballet, “Dr. Who & The Kindara”. 7:00 pm ISLAND MAGAZINE - Island Living. Focus on Island lifestyles- this month, host Alice Bacon looks at summer vaction destinations on our own “Island Paradise". 7:30 pm SLOW PITCH BASEBALL - Sports. The season championship mixed slow pitch league game from Sanscha Park with announcers Scott Earle and Alice Bacon. Sponsored by Lon- don Optical. : Thursday July 26 6:00 pm KEEP FIT FOR BABY - No-Impact Aerobics. A light workout specially designed TRY SOMETHING NEW and different with your family - host a Japanese student. Cultural Homestay Institute is ~ looking for a family to host a 17 year old boy for the 90/91 school year. For more information call Barb Carr 655-3573. for expecting mothers- great for be- ginners and seniors too! 6:30 pm N.F.B. PRESENTS: - 3 Children’s Films. A series of Canadian film documentaries and dramas presented by the National Film Board of Canada and Shaw Cable. 7:30 pm SPORTS DESK - News. A weekly wrap-up of minor league sports in the Victoria area with hosts Bob Lynn and Scott Earle. 8:00 pm THE HELEN SIMS SHOW - Cooking. Join Helen as she blends good cooking and good humour into 30 minutes of tasty fun! Tonight, summer salmon and salad a fresco with Richard Kirk! 8:30 pm FIRED UP - Artists. Shirley Carter hosts this 7-part series on contemporary works in clay and profiles the B.C. artists of "Fired Up". FURNISHED HOUSE. 2 bedrm., 1 1/2 baths, 1987 rancher, large fenced back yard, 1 - 6 months only. Available immediately $700.00 call 655-1497. 2 BEDROOM HOUSE for rent, monthly, short term $650.00 per mo. call 655- 3016 after 5:00. YOUNG FAMILY REQUIRES 2 plus acres for hobby farm. Will build or renovate. Willing to pay severance costs. Save commissions. 655-3520 SR. WEST EDMONTON couple will housesit, rent or trade home for one in Sidney area 2 wks. Sept. Phone 403-452-5271. COUPLE WITH 2 children require 2 -3 bedroom unit on Saanich/Sidney/ Brentwood areas for Aug. 1/90. N/S, no pets, excellent refs. available. Phone 746-7767. 1 OR 2 BEDROOM suite wanted for young working mom. Up to $450.00, phone between 2 and 7. 656-1224 Chris. EXCEPTIONAL SAANICH 3 BED- ROOM Townhouse, 2 1/2 baths (1 ensuite), separate dining room, double garage (elec), in outstanding small complex. Senior owners seek quality SINGLE LEVEL dwelling, quiet locale, easy reach shops, buses. Miniumum 2 baths, 3 bdrm, two car housing. No fancy prices, oldies or agents. Write P. ©. Box 362. VOS 1MO. * 20 words maximum, non-commercial ads only. If your item hasn’t sold in 4 weeks, call us and we'll insert it 4 more times. Prepayment required.