Aims: To study the occurrence of Cronobacter spp. in foods and to investigate the phenotypic properties of the strains isolated. Methods and Results: A total of 53 strains of Cronobacter spp. isolated from 399 food samples were identified using conventional biochemical methods and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Foods of plant origin were the most frequently contaminated samples. No Cronobacter spp. were found in infant milk formula, wheat-based infant food, pasteurized and raw cow milk, mincemeat, chicken, chickpea and potato dumpling powder. The individual species were identified as Cronobacter sakazakii (54.7%), Cronobacter malonaticus (28.4%), Cronobacter dublinensis (7.5%), Cronobacter muytjensii (7.5%) and Cronobacter turicensis (1.9%). Cronobacter sakazakii and C.similar to malonaticus belong to biotype 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4 and 5, 5a, respectively. Cronobacter dublinensis strains were subdivided into biotypes 6 and 12. All strains were resistant to erythromycin and two of them were resistant to both erythromycin and tetracycline. Conclusions: Cronobacter spp. were isolated from various food samples pre-eminently of plant origin and dried food ingredients. Significance and Impact of the Study: These findings will increase and detail our knowledge of the presence and diversity of Cronobacter spp. in foods.