This Technical Specification specifies two horizontal methods for detection of the pathogenic bioserotypes of Y. enterocolitica and one for detection of Y. pseudotuberculosis by using real-time PCR-based methods. The described methods allow for the detection of the two pathogens in enrichments and allow the isolation of colonies. Y. pestis, the causative agent of bubonic and pneumonic plague harbours a variant of the ail gene as well and will be detected by the same primer/probe set as Y. pseudotuberculosis. However, Y. pestis is normally not associated with food. This Technical Specification is applicable to products for human consumption, animal feeding stuffs, and environmental samples.