Exploring <i>Bacillus cereus sensu lato</i>: Epidemiology, Risks and Innovative Control Strategies

Food microbiology research on Bacillus cereus sensu lato is central to understanding the relationship between food-associated microorganisms, food safety, quality, and public health. This genetically diverse group includes strains associated with foodborne intoxication and toxico-infection, as well as organisms that may persist in processing environments or contribute to food spoilage. The ability of these bacteria to form highly resistant spores, adapt to changing food-chain environments, produce multiple toxins, presents ongoing challenges for food producers, regulators, clinicians, and consumers. Recent advances in whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, molecular typing, predictive microbiology, and rapid detection have improved the characterization and surveillance of B. cereus sensu lato. However, important gaps remain in distinguishing pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains, linking genomic features with toxin production and disease outcomes, understanding transmission across the food chain, and translating new knowledge into effective and sustainable control measures.This Research Topic aims to advance an integrated understanding of Bacillus cereus sensu lato in food-associated environments, with particular emphasis on pathogenicity, epidemiology, food safety, and innovative control strategies. A further goal is to highlight practical and sustainable approaches for preventing contamination and controlling B. cereus sensu lato growth and toxin production while maintaining food quality and supporting industrial applications.To gather further insights into the occurrence, evolution, public-health relevance, and control of Bacillus cereus sensu lato from farm-to-fork and food-processing perspectives, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Pathogenicity, toxin production, virulence factors, and host-microbe interactions• Genomic diversity, taxonomy, phylogeny, and functional genomics of the B. cereus group• Epidemiology, outbreak investigation, source attribution, and genomic surveillance• Adaptation, persistence, biofilm development, and stress responses in food-chain and processing environments• Spore formation, germination, growth and toxin production in food and food-processing conditions• Rapid methods for detection, identification, typing, and characterization of B. cereus sensu lato• Rapid detection and quantification method for cereulide and its isoforms in food and food ingredients• Metagenomic and culture-independent approaches to detect, quantify B. cereus s. l., and understand microbial interactions between B. cereus s. l. and other microorganisms in food.• Predictive microbiology, quantitative microbial risk assessment, and process optimization• Novel prevention and control strategies, including biocontrol, bacteriophages, antimicrobial compounds, fermentation, and hurdle technologies• Effects of B. cereus sensu lato on food quality, shelf life, and food-processing operations• One Health perspectives among environmental, food, animal, and clinical reservoirs Topic editors: Xingchen Zhao, Beatrix Stessl Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86820/exploring-bacillus-cereus-sensu-lato-epidemiology-risks-and-innovative-control-strategies