The objective of this study was to evaluate three verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) detection kits to detect the presence of VT genes: Doupath Verocytotoxin (GLISA) developed by MERCK, ProsPect Shiga Toxin E. coil (STEC) Microplate Assay (ELISA) developed by Remel, and a polymerase chain reaction method. Our laboratory verified artificially inoculated samples. All three methods could detect very low numbers of VTEC, but VT-PCR had the best sensitivity for VTEC detection. From April through September 2005, 257 ground-beefs from supermakets and traditional markets were examined for the presence of VTEC by polymerase chain reaction immediately after purchase and total viable counts (TVC) were determined. VTEC was isolated from 30 of 257 ground-beefs. A variety of serogroups was found, including 10 stains belonging to the virulence type EHEC, but major serogroups such as O157, O26 and O111 were nor found.