Detection of Bacillus Cereus in Pasteurized Milk Sold in Local Market of Hisar, Haryana

bacterium widely distributed in the soil and water. It is considered as an important enterotoxigenic food borne pathogen causing diarrhoeal and emetic food poisoning (Johnson, 1984; Kramer and Gilbert, 1989). Apart from gastroenteritis, B. cereus has a role in causing variety of non-gastro intestinal tract infections such as meningitis, endopthalmitis, endocarditis, periodontitis, osteomyelitis, wound infections and septicaemia in humans (Schoeni et al., 2005). The presence of B. cereus in pasteurized milk affects its shelf life and poses other defects such as off flavors, sweet curdling and bitty cream. This organism is also responsible for spoilage of different food products (Meer et al., 1991). Public health significance of its presence in pasteurized milk is due to its heat resistance and potential pathogenic character.