According to WHO, one person in three in industrialized countries may be affected by foodborne illness each year. Escherichia coli O157:H7, more commonly referred to as E. coli, is an emerging cause of foodborne illness, and children and the elderly are at greatest risk for complications. An investigation was conducted at retail chicken markets from various areas at Namakkal of Tamilnadu to identify the broiler meat contamination by E. coli which might result in food intoxication in humans. Out of 210 meat samples collected, 32.38 % were positive by culture with a microbial load of 2.38 ± 0.19 log₁₀ cfu/g for E. coli. All cultures of positives were confirmed by recommended biochemical and motility tests.