Among the factors that most significantly inhibit the survival of B. cereus in the human GIT are the low pH and presence of digestive enzymes (pepsin) in the stomach, oxygen deficiency and presence of bile in the small intestine, and the indigenous microflora in the lower part of the GIT. The ability of B. cereus spores/vegetative cells to adhere to enterocytes and the possible interaction between this species' vegetative cells and the intestine epithelial cells are also
aspects contributing to the outbreak of B. cereus food poisoning.