Aim: To develop a real-time PCR detection procedure for Escherichia coli O111, O26 and O157 from minced meat. Methods and Results: Strains (n = 8) of each of E. coli O26, E. colt O111 and E. coli O157 were inoculated at ca 10-20 CFU g(-1) into minced retail meat and enriched for 6 h at 41.5degreesC as follows: E. colt O26 in tryptone soya broth (TSB) supplemented with cefixime (50 mug l(-1)), vancomycin (40 mg l(-1)) and potassium tellurite (2.5 mg l(-1)); E. coli O111 in TSB supplemented with cefixime (50 mug l(-1)) and vancomycin (40 mg l(-1)); E. coli O157 in E. coli broth supplemented with novobiocin (20 mg l(-1)). DNA was extracted from the enriched cultures, and detected and quantified by real-time PCR using verotoxin (vt1 and vt2) and serogroup (O157 per gene, O26 fliC-fliA genes and O111 mzy gene) specific primers. Conclusions: The methods outlined were found to be sensitive and specific for the routine detection of E. coli O111, O26 and O157 in minced beef. Significance and Impact of the Study: The enrichment, isolation and detection procedures used in this study provide a rapid routine-based molecular method for the detection and differentiation of E. coli O26, O111 and O157 from minced meat.