Which food is a typical vehicle for the Bacillus cereus diarrheal toxin?

• A. Reheated rice
• B. Fresh fruit
• C. Boiled water
• D. Raw fish

Answer: (D)

Bacillus cereus causes illness through two different toxins: a diarrheal enterotoxin and an emetic toxin. The diarrheal toxin is produced in the small intestine after the organism is ingested from food that has been cooked and then kept warm long enough for bacteria to multiply. Because of this, foods like meats, dairy products, vegetables, and gravies or soups that have been held at warm temperatures are classic vehicles for the diarrheal toxin. The emetic toxin is formed in food itself and is famously linked to starchy items like rice that have been left at room temperature; it is heat-stable, so reheating doesn’t eliminate it.

Raw fish isn’t a typical vehicle for the diarrheal toxin, and reheated rice is more commonly associated with the emetic toxin. Fresh fruit and boiled water don’t fit well as common vehicles for the diarrheal toxin either.