Preventing Foodborne Illness: Bacillus cereus

• DOI: 10.32473/edis-fs269-2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01-10T21:31:41Z
• Authors: Karuna Kharel; Kiara Bookman; Renee Goodrich Sc...; Rachael Silverberg; Ploy Kurdmongholtham; Bruna Bertoldi; Keith R. Schneider
• Keywords: Cereus

Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive, facultative, anaerobic bacterium characterized by large rod-shaped cells and an ability to form heat-resistant endospores. Since this commonly widespread in the environment often found soil, it naturally present wide range of food products both plant animal origin. B. grows best temperature 39ºF (4ºC) 118ºF (48ºC). Optimal growth occurs within narrower 82ºF (28ºC) 95ºF (35ºC) pH 4.9 9.3 (FDA 2012).