Bacillus cereus

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.

• Bacterimia

• Pneumonia

• Endocarditis

• Meningitis

• Cutaneous infections

FDA. Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 14: Bacillus cereus. October 2020. https://www.fda.gov/food/laboratory-methods-food/bam-chapter-14-bacillus-cereus