Staphylococcal food poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by eating foods contaminated with toxins produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Food poisoning from Staphylococcus is rare but it does occur and can be serious. The most common way for food to be contaminated with Staphylococcus is through contact with infected food workers who carry the bacteria or through contaminated milk and cheeses. As the bacterium colonizes in food, it produces toxins that can cause illness. Staphylococcal toxins are resistant to heat and cannot be destroyed by cooking.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
