The Auglaize County medical director this week reminded residents to be careful to keep bacteria at bay when cooking out or picnicing this summer.
Medical Director Dr. Juan Torres said rates of foodborne disease have gone down slightly since a study in 1999, but it is still something to be careful about.
In 1999, one in four Americans had a food-related illness compared to one in six, about 48 million, in 2010, Torres said citing the study.
He said in 1999 there were 5,000 deaths related to foodborne illness, compared to 3,000 in 2010.
