Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus, often referred to simply as "staph," is a bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Approximately 40% of all adults carry this bacterium in their nose and throat and 15% on their skin. Occasionally, staphylococci can get into the body and cause an infection. This infection can be minor (such as pimples, boils, and other skin conditions) or serious and sometimes fatal (such as blood infections or pneumonia).

MRSA are staphylococci that are resistant to methicillin and other commonly used antibiotics and they have a unique gene that produces resistance. Therefore, alternate antibiotics must be used to treat the MRSA form of Staphylococcus aureus.

The Staphylococcus aureus is salt tolerant and can survive in some cured products. When present in food it produces a toxin that causes a severe form of food poisoning which may survive boiling for long periods and the organism will grow at temperatures as low as 7ºC.

Control

• Prevent food handlers contaminating food
• Good personal hygiene standards
• Avoid handling food where possible
• Do not eat, smoke, cough or sneeze in food rooms
• Keep food handling time to a minimum
• Ensure hot food is stored above 63ºC
• Keep food refrigerated

More food poisoning organisms