What type of bacteria is Bacillus cereus?

Bacillus cereus is classified as a spore-forming bacterium that is associated with foodborne illnesses. This bacterium can produce toxins that lead to two types of food poisoning: one characterized by diarrhea (diarrheal type) and another that produces emesis (vomiting type). This ability to form spores allows Bacillus cereus to survive in harsh environments, including cooking and processing conditions that would typically kill other microorganisms. When food that contains these spores is improperly stored, the spores can germinate and multiply, leading to the production of toxins that can cause illness when consumed.

The other choices do not accurately describe Bacillus cereus. It is neither non-spore-forming nor a virus or fungus, which are entirely different categories of microorganisms. Each of these other classifications has distinct characteristics and types of illnesses they can cause, but Bacillus cereus primarily poses a risk in food safety due to its spore-forming capability and the subsequent potential for toxin production.