It's the season for giving -- just make sure you aren't giving or getting food poisoning during this busy holiday season. Follow these simple tips from Brian Nummer, Utah State University Food Safety Specialist.

Safety tips when you receive food as gifts:

While the mail order industry enjoys a good record of food safety, consumers must be vigilant to inspect the safety and quality of their purchases.

This is especially true for perishable foods, like meats, poultry, cheesecakes or fish. Here are some tips:

* Make sure the company sends perishable items cold or frozen, packed with a cold source and in foam or heavy corrugated cardboard.

* The food should be delivered as quickly as possible -- ideally, overnight. Make sure perishable items and the outer shipping package are clearly labeled "keep refrigerated" to alert the recipient.

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* When receiving a food item marked "keep refrigerated," open it immediately and check its temperature. The food should arrive frozen or partially frozen with ice crystals still visible. Even if a product is smoked, cured and/or fully cooked, it still is a perishable product and must be kept cold. If perishable food arrives warm -- above 40 F as measured with a food thermometer -- notify the company. Do not taste or consume the suspect food.

* Tell the food gift recipient if the company has promised a delivery date, or alert the recipient that the gift is in the mail so someone is ready to receive it. Don't have perishable items delivered to an office unless you know it will arrive on a work day and there is refrigerator space available for keeping it cold.

Safety tips when you send food as gifts:

It is not recommended for consumers to send perishable foods as gifts. If you choose to send refrigerated or frozen foods you must ensure the package remains cold or frozen. A suitable insulated container should be used together with a source of cold, such as dry ice or blue ice. Package the food carefully and send overnight mail. Indicate the package is perishable and write "refrigerate upon receipt" on the box. Be sure a notify the recipient so they are ready to receive it.

It is best to send only non-perishable items as gifts. These include dried food items such as jerky, dried fruits, canned nuts, dehydrated soups or drink mixes, and commercially packaged trail mix. Bacteria can't grow in foods preserved by removing moisture.

* Commercially canned meat and fish specialties, dips and cracker spreads also make nice treats. Recipients should be cautioned not to use any cans that appear to be damaged or swollen.

* Condiments such as hot sauce and Cajun seasonings in packets or unbreakable jars are great gifts for aspiring chefs and spice lovers.

* Foods should not be mailed in glass containers because they can break during delivery.

* Dense and dry baked goods such as fruit cakes and biscotti are good choices for mailing because they will not mold. Other suitable baked goods include commercially packaged cakes, cookies and crackers shipped in airtight tins.

* When mailing baked goods like sugar cookies or homemade candies, wrap each piece individually and pack items in Styrofoam packing peanuts or foam to help cushion food during the trip. Place the food gifts in a sturdy box and seal it securely with packing tape.

* Hard candies and homemade sweets such as pralines and toffee are safe to mail because their high sugar content prevents bacterial growth.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season.