Final answer:
Staphylococcus aureus produces at least 21 different types of enterotoxins, which are known to cause staphylococcal food poisoning, a form of gastrointestinal illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Staphylococcus aureus produces a variety of enterotoxins that are known for causing food intoxication in humans. These toxins, due to their resistance to heat and low pH, can survive the cooking process and the acidic environment of the stomach, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Specifically, there are at least 21 different types of Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) and Staphylococcal enterotoxin-like toxins that can cause gastrointestinal illness, commonly referred to as staphylococcal food poisoning.