found on the skin and in the noses of up to 25% of healthy people and animals. Stap is important because it has the ability to make seven different toxins that are frequently responsible for food poisoning.
Staphylococcal food poisoning is a gastrointestinal illness. It is caused by eating foods contaminated with toxin produced by Staph. The most common way for food to be contaminated with Staph is through contact with food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and cheese. Stap is salt tolerant and can grow in salty foods like ham. As the germ multiplies in food, it produces toxins that can cause illness.
subsequent toxin production