Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are emetic toxins causing food poisoning in humans, because of their biological activity and structural relatedness They have been classified as members of the pyrogenic exotoxin superantigen family Among them nine major antigenic types of emetic enterotoxins were recognized In recent years several newly detected SEs were also discriminated, but their occurrence and role in human and animal diseases are not fully understood Neverthless, evidences of their pathogenic role and broad distribution in staphylococcal strains cumulate Therefore their importance as potential risk factor for food safety becomes essential For this reason their properties, genetic determinants and supposed mechanisms of the pathogenic activity are discussed in respect of their potential hazard to human health.