above 60ºC or at or below 5ºC to prevent growth, or held outside this temperature range for a
limited time. Foods associated with B. cereus food poisoning include cooked rice dishes,
other cereal based foods such as pasta/noodles, dairy based deserts and meat or vegetable
dishes incorporating spices. The detection of high levels (>103 cfu per gram) of B. cereus
should result in an investigation of the food handling controls used by the food business.
Levels of ≥104 cfu pergram are considered potentially hazardous as consumption foods with
this level of contamination may result in food borne illness. Other Bacillus species, such as B.
subtilis and B. licheniformis, have also been associated with food borne illness and may also
be tested for.