Standard Precautions
Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming rods.
Resistant to heat, radiation, and disinfectants, and their adhesive characters allow their attachment to equipment.
Commonly found in soil, vegetables, and a variety of foods (e.g. rice). Associated with food poisoning, producing two types of toxins.
The first type of illness has an incubation period of 4-16 hours following ingestion with symptoms of abdominal pain and non-bloody diarrhea that last for 12-24 hours. The second type leads to nausea and vomiting within 1-5 hours after consumption of contaminated food.
FDA. Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 14: Bacillus cereus. October 2020. https://www.fda.gov/food/laboratory-methods-food/bam-chapter-14-bacillus-cereus