ANTS BEWARE: It’s picnic season, which means...

ANTS BEWARE: It’s picnic season, which means that it’s food poisoning season, says county environmental health czar Robert E. Merryman, who has issued a public “food-borne illness alert.” . . . Disease-churning bacteria grow quickly in food high in protein and moisture, Merryman cautioned. Danger lurks in foods such as “fried chicken, potato salad, cream pies, ham and roast beef sandwiches,” he adds. In general, he says, keep cold things cold, hot things hot and call (714) 667-3600 for more information and the pamphlet, “No Picnic.”