A method, including enrichment in Arcobacter Selective Broth (ASB) and isolation on semisolid Arcobacter Selective Medium (ASM) under aerobic conditions at 24 degrees C, is described for the isolation of Arcobacter from retail meat products. Selective agents used in ASB and ASM were cefoperazone, trimethoprim, piperacillin and cycloheximide. Arcobacters were isolated from 53 (24.1%) of 220 poultry meat products and also, at lower incidence from samples of beef and pork. The isolates were identified as A. butzleri or A. butzleri-like and belonged to a wide variety of serotypes and biotypes.