Causative Agents

Bacillus cereus causes two types of foodborne illness which is emetic (vomiting) and diarrheal form.

Source

• Environment
• Dust and soil
• Spices.

Food Implicated

• Inadequate cooked rice
• Fried rice
• Cereal product
• Pudding
• Vegetables
• Meat dishes
• Starchy foods

Mode of Spread

• Improper handling and serving of cooked food
• Holding cooked food at room temperature for too long
• Left over food not properly reheated

Symptoms

• Nausea and vomitting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea

Onset of illness

It ranges from 1 to 24 hours according to strain of the bacteria.

Prevention

• Reheat food properly to boiling temperature
• Keep left over food in the refrigerator
• Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than four hours.