The James Beard Foundation is an organization that recognizes excellence in the world of food with special dinners as well as annual awards to chefs, restaurant owners, authors and even journalists.

But members are also rewarded with biweekly E-newsletters that share recipes from renowned chefs and all sorts of food news and information.

Last week's asked the question "Which popular outdoor food is least likely to spoil in the sun?"

A. Hamburger
B. Egg Salad
C. Grilled chicken
D. Hot Dog

I'll admit I picked hot dog because I thought the nitrates would act as a protective agent. I would have been wrong.

The answer is actually B, provided the egg salad was made with commercially produced mayonnaise. Mayo is pasteurized and has a high acid content that actually slows bacteria growth.

Many would find that a surprising answer.

The moral of the story is to be careful now that the summer appears to have begun. Don't take anything for granted and leave food sitting out there in the sun.

The source for the information is: Cerexhe, Peter and Ashton, John. Risky Foods, Safer Choices: Avoiding Food Poisoning. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 1999.