To investigate the prevalence, molecular characteristics and potential pathogenicity of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates in foods.MethodsShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli were isolated from 355 different foods samples. The stx1/stx2 subtypes and virulent genes were detected by PCR. A multilocus sequence typing (MLST)scheme provided by E. coli MLST database was performed. ResultsEleven non-O157 STEC strains were isolated from 355 foods samples with 3 isolates harboring stx2a, 3 harboring stx2e, 1 harboring stx2b and 4 untypable for stx2, ehxA and saa genes were detected in 5 isolates, 2 isolates were positive for subA gene and 1 isolate was positive for katP gene. The 11 isolates belonged to 7 different STs with 1 new allele type and 1 new ST identified. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the STEC isolates from foods had the relatively close genetic relationships with HUSEC or main serogroups STEC strains.ConclusionSTEC exist in different foods which showed molecular diversity and had the potential to cause human diseases.Thus the detection and surveillance of STEC in foods should be enhanced to prevent the prevalence and outbreak of relative foodborne diseases.