To investigate the contamination of Bacillus cereus in infant formula milk powder and cereal-based complementary foods from Shijiazhuang market, and also to monitor the toxin genes of the isolated strains.MethodsInfant formula powder and cereal-based complementary foods from 23 counties of Shijiazhuang city were collected. Bacillus cereus strains were tested and counted according to the national standard GB/T 4789.14-2003 and foodborne pathogenic bacteria monitoring manual. The hemolytic toxin genes and non-hemolytic toxin genes of isolates were detected by real-time PCR. Results85 strains of Bacillus cereus were detected from 399 samples. The detection rate of infant formula powde was 20.3%(36/158) and cereal-based complemenary foods was 22.8%(49/241). The hemolysin gene was positive in 48 isolated strains and the detection rate was 56.5% with no isolates carrying non-hemolytic toxin gene.ConclusionThe contamination of Bacillus cereus in infant food was quite severe. These foods had a potential food poisoning risk. Our results could provide reference for the infant food hygiene inspection standard setting, supervision and management.