How do you know your infant has cereulide poisoning? This toxin is produced by some strains of the bacteria Bacillus cereus. This pathogen is found in soil and dust, and can contaminate foods like pasta, rice, and dairy products. When the bacteria grow, they produce the toxin. Cereulide is very heat stable, meaning that it's almost impossible to deactivate or destroy it by cooking, using boiling water, or preparing infant formula. Even properly prepared infant formula can still have the toxin and make babies sick. And the toxin is not destroyed by freezing. Symptoms of cereulide poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and cramps. Infants may express their distress by persistent crying and refusal to eat. These symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes to a … [Read more...]