Genomic Sequencing of Bacillus cereus Sensu Lato Strains Isolated from Meat and Poultry Products in South Africa Enables Inter- and Intranational Surveillance and Source Tracking.

Members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato species complex, also known as the B. cereus group, vary in their ability to cause illness but are frequently isolated from foods, including meat products; however, food safety surveillance efforts that use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) often neglect these potential pathogens. Here, we evaluate the surveillance and source tracking potential of WGS as applied to B.