BRIEFS JELL-O has gone X-Treme and introduced gel sticks in seven flavors. No spoons are required for these portables. You simply tear off the top off the chilled stick and squeeze it. The gel sticks are available in variety packs with flavor assortment

Muir Glen canned organic tomatoes has added two products to its line of fire-roasted tomatoes -- Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies and Fire Roasted Whole Tomatoes. They are available in a 14.5-ounce can at a suggested retail price of $1.60.

Get it egg-actly right

With spring comes a reminder from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that eggs may occasionally contain bacteria called salmonella enteriditis, which can cause illness if eggs are not handled and prepared properly. Since last September, all cartons of fresh, shell eggs that have not been treated to destroy salmonella have been required to carry the following reminder.

"Safe handling instructions: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly."

Now the FDA is offering Playing It Safe With Eggs, a brochure filled with buying, chilling, cooking and serving information. For a free copy, or more information on handling food safely, call (888) 723-3366. Or get food-safety information at FDA's Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov.

Free stuff

For information on barbecue techniques, regional recipes and a printable map of the "barbecue belt," visit the newly redesigned www.otherwhitemeat.com. To order a copy of the "Hot Topics" brochure, click of "offers" or send a self-addressed mailing label to "Hot Topics," National Pork Board, PO Box 9114, Des Moines, IA, 50306.

You can simmer over this contest

Swanson Broth's Culinary Creations Recipe Contest offers cooks the chance to demonstrate their cooking skills. To enter, submit an original recipe featuring roasting or simmering as the primary cooking method. Each recipe must include at least one cup of any variety of Swanson Broth. For official rules and an entry form, visit www.swansonbroth.com. Completed entries can be mailed to Swanson Broth's Culinary Creations Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 4316 Manhasset, NY 11030-4316. The official entry form must be included with the submission. On-line entry forms must be received by April 30 and write-in entries must be postmarked by April 30 and received by May 7.