The survival and growth of E. coli in foods depends on the inter action of intrinsic (food related) and extrinsic (environmental) fac tors such as temperature, pH, and water activity (Buchanan and Doyle 1997). Microorganisms may encounter stress conditions in foods, particularly minimally processed foods or those processed using hurdle technology. Stress responses may enable survival under more severe conditions, enhance resistance to subsequent processing conditions, and / or enhance virulence. Therefore, un of stress on the physical tolerance coli is important in order to and the food-borne illness. In this review, regulation of stress and the stress tolerance response of E. coli will be addressed. of stress laboratory media and real as well as the relationship of stress response and subsequent virulence and cross-protection will also be discussed.