Bacillus cereus is a bacterium commonly found in the environment that produces spores. These spores are resistant to heat and drying and can therefore persist in the environment, contaminating food. The pathogenicity of B. cereus (causing foodborne infections, which are often mild and present as acute gastroenteritis) is linked to toxin production. These toxins may be enterotoxins, which cause diarrhoea-like symptoms, or cereulide, which causes vomiting.
A useful diagnostic tool for responding to health alerts
Cereulide toxin, produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus, can cause severe clinical symptoms, particularly in vulnerable groups such as infants. According to recommendations published by the French Paediatric Society on 16 February 2026, infants who have consumed recalled milk should be tested for cereulide toxin in cases of severe clinical symptoms requiring hospital treatment. In this context, it is recommended that the child’s first stool sample be collected for analysis.
From 1 April onwards, our laboratories will be able to test for the toxin in stool samples, thereby providing robust analytical support in public health emergencies, particularly when food products intended for children are involved.
A public health mission fully embraced
This test's development reflects Eurofins Biomnis’s deep commitment to its public health mission of protecting populations by providing cutting-edge analytical tools to anticipate, detect, and support the management of health crises.
Our teams are fully committed to supporting clinicians and health authorities with this issue.
Caution in interpretation
In the absence of a standardised method for biological matrices of human origin, there is currently no reference threshold for definitively interpreting the concentration of cereulid toxin measured in stool samples.
Therefore, investigating other possible causes of acute gastroenteritis remains essential. The SFP therefore recommends systematic testing for gastroenteritis-causing pathogens.
This test is only available in hospital settings on a paediatrician's prescription and following clinical and laboratory consultation.