Graduation time is here and parties are part of the celebration. Family and friends gather to honor graduates as they complete one phase of their life.

Some parties will be elaborate affairs with a served, sit-down dinner while others will offer a buffet of homemade foods that their family enjoys. If the party features a buffet, caution is needed to prevent foodborne illness. Bacteria are uninvited guests we want to avoid.

While bacteria are everywhere, there are a few types that especially like to crash parties. According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) with the United States Department of Agriculture, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes tend to be common problems as they frequent people's hands and steam tables.

FSIS offers a few tips to have a happy and healthy party that incorporates food safety. The first tip—always wash hands before and after handling food, and keep the food area, dishes and utensils clean.

If cooking food ahead be sure to cook foods thoroughly to safe temperatures, and use a food thermometer to be sure proper temperatures are reached. After cooking ahead chill food quickly, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

On the buffet table, arrange and serve food in several small platters or bowls rather than putting all of one food in one large container. This way one smaller dish is on the table while the rest of the food can be held at proper temperatures until needed. Replace empty dishes or platters rather than adding fresh food to the container.

FSIS stresses perishable foods should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Keep track of how long perishable foods have been on the buffet table, and discard anything that has been out two hours or more.

Remember; keep hot foods hot, at 140 F or warmer by using chafing dishes, slow cookers and warming trays. Keep cold foods cold, 40 F or colder, by nesting dishes in bowls of ice and pre-chilling the food. Otherwise, use small serving trays and replace as needed for safe food handling.

For your graduation party, be sure to include a delicious punch. The following punch recipe is from Jananne Finck, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator, and was a big hit at a recent anniversary party. Ingredient amounts can be adjusted to your taste. If lower sugar is desired, use a low calorie cranberry juice cocktail and sugar-free soda.

Cranberry Celebration Punch

2 quarts cranberry juice

1 quart orange juice

1 liter lemon lime soda

Chill ingredients ahead. Combine cranberry juice and orange juice in pitcher or punch bowl. Just before serving, stir in soda. Makes about 32 half-cup servings.

Nutrient Analysis Per 1/2-cup Serving: 62 calories, trace protein, 15 grams carbohydrates, trace fat, 0 cholesterol, 9 milligrams sodium. Exchanges: 1 fruit.