Clostridium perfringens

Clostridium perfringens is distributed throughout the environment and commonly found in human and animal intestines.

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic, spore forming rod shaped bacteria commonly associated with food borne illness. The illness is caused by ingestion of large numbers of the bacteria which release toxins in the digestive tract during spore formation.

Foods Incriminated

Meats, meat products and gravy are the most frequently implicated with food poisoning caused by clostridium perfringens. Small numbers of the spore may survive the cooking process, reproduction will occur if temperature controls are inadequate.

Target Populations

The young and elderly are the most susceptible groups. Outbreaks of the food borne illness often occur in situations where large quantities of food are prepared in advance such as schools, hospitals and residential establishments.

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