The Crystal Diagnostics (CDx) Xpress E7 STEC kit is a rapid and sensitive detection assay for the detection of Escherichia coli O157 and six non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (serogroups O26, O45, O1O3, O111, O121, and O145, collectively referred to as STEC) at 1 CFU/325 g of raw ground beef and raw beef trim, or 200 g of spinach. The system comprises an automatic Crystal Diagnostics Xpress System Reader that integrates immunochemical and optical processes for the liquid crystal-based detection of microorganisms, a CDx BioCassette that incorporates antibody-coupled microspheres and liquid crystal for selective identification of the intended microbe, and additional commercially available components. The Crystal Diagnostics Xpress System(TM) combines proprietary liquid crystal technology with antibody-coated paramagnetic microspheres to selectively capture and detect STEC from food matrixes. The Xpress System expeditiously (9.5 h enrichment) provides the sensitivity and specificity of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration reference methods in screening as low as 1 STEC CFU/test portion. The inclusivity validation demonstrated detection of 53 of 54 STEC test strains. Shelf life testing of the antibody-coated microspheres and other Crystal Diagnostic consumables indicated that all materials were stable for a minimum of 3 months (ongoing), and lot-to-lot testing demonstrated consistent results between lots (data not shown). The internal and independent laboratory tests demonstrate that the method is rapid and sensitive for screening of the target STEC.