Every person is potentially vulnerable to Bacillus cereus. B.
cereus food poisoning is the common description, though there
are two recognized types of the illness: diarrheal and emetic
(vomiting). The diarrheal type of illness is caused by a large
protein, and can be brought on by contaminated meats, milk,
vegetables and fish. Symptoms such as watery diarrhea and
abdominal cramps begin 6 to 15 hours after consumption, and
persist for 24 hours. Nausea may also occur, but vomiting is a
rare accompaniment to the symptoms in the diarrheal type of B.
cereus illness. The emetic type of illness is recognized 30
minutes to 6 hours after consumption when both nausea and
vomiting occur. Generally, symptoms persist less than 24 hours.
Emetic-type outbreaks are associated with rice, potato, pasta,
and cheese products. This type of food poisoning is sufficiently
diagnosed by the rapid onset time to symptoms, coupled with
evidence of contamination in the food. No specific complications
of diarrheal and emetic toxins have