Risks for public health related to the presence of Bacillus cereus and other Bacillus spp. including Bacillus thuringiensis in foodstuffs

Abstract

The Bacillus cereus group, also known as B. cereus sensu lato, is a subdivision of the Bacillus genus that consists of eight formally recognised species: B. cereus sensu stricto, B. anthracis, B. thuringiensis, B. weihenstephanensis, B. mycoides, B. pseudomycoides, B. cytotoxicus and B. toyonensis. The current taxonomy of the B. cereus group and the status of separate species mainly rely on phenotypic characteristics. Bacillus thuringiensis strains display a similar repertoire of the potential virulence genes on the chromosome as B. cereus sensu stricto strains and it has been shown that these genes can also be actively expressed in B. thuringiensis strains. Bacillus cereus and B. thuringiensis strains are usually not discriminated in clinical diagnostics or food microbiology. Thus, the actual contribution of the two species to gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases is currently unknown. Most cases of food-borne outbreaks caused by the B. cereus group have been associated with concentrations above 10 5 CFU/g. However, cases of both emetic and diarrhoeal illness have been reported involving lower levels of B. cereus. The levels of B. cereus that can be considered as a risk for consumers are also valid for B. thuringiensis. There is no evidence that B. thuringiensis has the genetic determinants for the emetic toxin cereulide. The Panel has recommended the application of whole genome sequencing to provide unambiguous identification of strains used as biopesticides and the detailed characterisation of outbreak strains allowing discrimination of B. thuringiensis from B. cereus. Data gaps include: dose-response and behavioural characteristics of B. cereus group strains and specifically of B. thuringiensis. Field studies after application of B. thuringiensis biopesticides are needed to enable the establishment of pre-harvest intervals. for the preparatory work on this scientific output and EFSA staff members: Maria Teresa da Silva Felicio, Giusi Amore, Emmanouil Chantzis, Laszlo Bura and Frederique Istace for the support provided to this scientific opinion. Suggested citation: EFSA BIOHAZ Panel (EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards), 2016. Scientific opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of Bacillus cereus and other Bacillus spp. including

Control of Biological Hazards in Insect Processing: Application of HACCP Method for Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Powders

“…B. cereus causes two types of foodborne illness, an emetic (vomiting) intoxication due to the ingestion of a toxin (cereulide) pre-formed in the food and a diarrheal infection due to the ingestion of bacterial cells/spores which produce enterotoxins in the small intestine [42]. More recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel on biological hazards (BIOHAZ) [43] reported that most cases of foodborne diseases have been associated with greater than 10 5 CFU/g of B. cereus in the food vehicle, with some cases ranging to 10 8 CFU/g for diarrheal infection.…”

Differential side-effects of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticide on non-target Drosophila flies

“…Numerous impact studies of field application rates and acute intoxications have shown that Bt bioinsecticides are safe or have a limited impact on non-target vertebrates and invertebrates, and associated species communities 19,20 . However, the increasing use of bioinsecticides based on Bt spores and toxins has recently raised concern 21 and led to the assessment of their potential effects on non-target species, such as auxiliary insects of biological control 22 , pollinators 23 and species communities which share their habitat with Bt-targeted insect pests [24][25][26] . There is growing evidence of direct and indirect cross-effects of Bt bioinsecticide formulations and Bt-Cry and Cyt toxins across insect species and orders, or even across phyla, suggesting that Bt targeting is only partly specific 12,26,27 .…”

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