Escherichia coli O157:H7 has recently been recognised as a human pathogen involved in outbreaks and sporadic cases of food-borne diseases in North America and Great Britain. At present, less is known about the significance of E. coli O157:H7 as a cause of food-borne diseases in the Netherlands. This article will review current literature about this serotype, which is a predominant representative of the enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) group. Biochemical features, toxins, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, epidemiology and methods of isolation will also be discussed.