Abstract: Objective To validate the specificity of polymerase chain reaction(PCR) system and to establish a novel method for rapid and specific detection of common foodborne pathogens.Methods A total of 166 strains were selected to validate the specificity of the PCR system.Five sets of new primers from the toxR,fimY,nuc,hly of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus,Salmonellae,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria monocytogenes were designed by shortening the products length and unifying annealing temperature.Results Some problems such as low specificity and complex procedure existed in the PCR systems commonly used.However,the new established PCR system was sensitive and highly specific.Sensitivity of the assay reached to 6 pg of bacterial DNA and the foodborne pathogens in the artificially-contaminated chicken could be detected in 3-4 hours.Conclusion A rapid,specific,and sensitive PCR technique for the detection of common foodborne pathogens was established successfully.