Bacillus cereus is an endemic, soil-dwelling, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, beta hemolytic bacterium. Some strains are harmful to humans and cause foodborne illness, while other strains can be beneficial as probiotics for animals.[1] It is the cause of "Fried Rice Syndrome," as the bacteria is classically contracted from fried rice dishes that have been sitting at room temperature for hours (such as at a buffet).[2] B. cereus bacteria are facultative anaerobes, and like other members of the genus Bacillus can produce protective endospores. Its virulence factors include cereolysin and phospholipase C.