Which bacterium is a spore-forming organism commonly linked to foods rich in starch?

Which bacterium is a spore-forming organism commonly linked to foods rich in starch?

• A. Listeria monocytogenes
• B. Escherichia coli
• C. Salmonella enterica
• D. Bacillus cereus

Answer: (D)

Endospore formation and a strong association with starch-rich foods are the clues here. Bacillus cereus forms endospores, which can survive cooking, and it’s famously linked to starchy dishes like rice and pasta. It can produce toxins in food, leading to vomiting or diarrhea after eating reheated or improperly stored leftovers. The other organisms listed do not form spores and are linked to different food sources or illness patterns, so they don’t fit as well with a spore-forming bacterium associated with starchy foods.

Endospore formation and a strong association with starch-rich foods are the clues here. Bacillus cereus forms endospores, which can survive cooking, and it’s famously linked to starchy dishes like rice and pasta. It can produce toxins in food, leading to vomiting or diarrhea after eating reheated or improperly stored leftovers. The other organisms listed do not form spores and are linked to different food sources or illness patterns, so they don’t fit as well with a spore-forming bacterium associated with starchy foods.