Food Borne Illnesses – Bacillus Cereus

1. Food Borne Illnesses – Bacillus Cereus Chef Becca

2. About Bacillus Cereus • It is an endemic, soil-dwelling, and rod-shaped bacteria. Illnesses occur when food is improperly cooked or refrigerated. Germination and growth occur from 10-50 degrees.

3. Bacillus Cereus causes two types of food borne illnesses: • First type can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains. It has an onset time of 1 to 6 hours. • The second type can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The onset time is anywhere from 8 to 16 hours.

4. Foods • Bacillus Cereus is most commonly found in rice's, leftovers, sauces, soups and foods that have sat out too long at room temperature.

5. How is it transmitted? • Bacillus Cereus is mostly transmitted through foods not properly prepared foods. • It is rarely fatal and cannot be transmitted from person to person.

6. Prevention • Store foods at proper temperatures. • Do not leave food items at room temperature for extended periods of time. • Do not feed an infant formula that has been sitting out at room temperature. • Washing produce with water. • Proper hand hygiene.

7. BACILLUS CEREUS Affects of Bacillus Cereus

8. Websites • http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/B.cereus.html • http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/bcereus/index.html • http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs103 • http://www.emedicinehealth.com/food_poisoning/page3_em.htm • http://www.bfr.bund.de/en/bacillus_cereus-54345.html • http://www.ecolab.com/PublicHealth/BCereus.asp • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillus_cereus • http://www.idph.state.ia.us/idph_universalhelp/MainContent.aspx?glossaryInd=0&TOCId={64100E42-0419-40E3-9F13-B1C73480F016}