Objective To investigate the pathogenic types and distribution of diarrheogenic Escherichia coli (DEC) from foodborne diseases in Henan Province, and provide reference data for the prevention and control of foodborne diseases. Methods Fecal specimens from patients with foodborne diseases in sentinel hospitals were examined for DEC to determine pathogenic and virulent genes. Results 215 of 4 137 stool specimens were positive, and the positive rate was 5.2%. Four of them were mixed DEC infection of different types. 219 strains of DEC were isolated, including 156 strains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), 28 strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), 28 strains of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), 2 strains of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), and 5 strains of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). 95 cases of patients were between 0 and 5 years old, with the proportion of 44.2%. DEC cases had a peak in June and October, but was found all year round. In terms of suspicious food exposure, 34 cases were caused by meat and meat products, 31 cases by milk and dairy products, accounting for 17.3% (34/196) and 15.8% (31/196) respectively. Conclusion The genotype of DEC in foodborne diseases in Henan was mainly EAEC. Infection was mainly in children under 5 years old. It occurs frequently in summer and autumn. Meat and meat products, milk and dairy products caused more cases.