Staphylococcal Food Poisoning Staphylococcus aureus Food containing protein is cooked (bacteria usually killed). enterotoxin is a superantigen Then food is contaminated by worker with staphylococci on hands(competing bacteria have been eliminated). Room temperature holding Organisms incubate in food(temperature abuse)long enough to form and release toxins. (Reheating will eliminate staphylococci but not the toxin.) Food containing toxins is eaten. Staphylococcal In one to six hours,intoxication intoxication occurs. Figure 25.6Staphylococcal Food Poisoning Figure 25.6 • Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin is a superantigen