Multi-Drug Resistant Bacillus cereus: A Growing Concern for Powdered Infant Formula and Baby Foods (Cereals) in Bangladesh

Infants predominantly consume dried powdered infant formula (PIF) and cereals, which are highly susceptible to contamination by Bacillus cereus, the most prevalent pathogenic and toxin-producing bacterium. To investigate the microbial risk associated with Bacillus cereus, six samples of PIF and four cereals were procured from commercial markets in Bangladesh for analysis of bacterial prevalence. A total of twenty-eight bacterial isolates were obtained using the selective agar culture method. Morphological and biochemical tests confirmed that twelve isolates (43%) were positive for B. cereus. Further confirmation was achieved through PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, demonstrating similarity in identification among three B. cereus isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that the confirmed isolates were susceptible to Kanamycin, Gentamycin, Amikacin, Tigecycline, and Ciprofloxacin while exhibiting resistance to Amoxicillin, Aztreonam, Penicillin-G, Cefixime, Cefotaxime, Cefepime, Ceftriaxone, Meropenem, Cotrimoxazole, and Ceftazidime. Consequently, implementing effective control measures in the production and handling processes of PIF and other baby food products is imperative to mitigate the contamination risk posed by the endospore-forming and heat-resistant B. cereus.