To investigate the contamination of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in retail meats in Wuhan city.MethodsA total of 196samples were collected from 30open markets and supermarkets during a two-year sampling period (from 2011July to 2012October). Specimens comprised 102pork, 60beef and 34poultry samples. All samples were performed selective incubation, then screened by PCR amplification for the presence of stx1, stx2, rfbO157 and wzyO157 genes. ResultsShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were frequently detected in beef, pork and poultry products. 18.6% raw meats, 48.4% beef and 2.9% poultry samples had been tested positive for the presence of non-O157STEC. The detection rate of O157type STEC was 13.6% in pork, 6.7% in beef and 2.9% in poultry, respectively. The detection rate of STEC in open markets (35.8%) was a little higher than that in supermarkets (32.4%).ConclusionThe STEC detection rate is a little high in retail meats in Wuhan, and it should be concerned.