The effects of acid shock. acid adaptation, starvation, and cold stress of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43895), an rpoS mutant (FRIK 816-3), and nonpathogenic E. Loll (ATCC 25922) on poststress heat resistance and freeze-thaw resistance were investigated. Following stress, heat tolerance at 56 degreesC and freeze-thaw resistance at -20 to 21 degreesC were determined. Heat and freeze-thaw resistance of E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli was enhanced after acid adaptation and starvation. Following cold stress, heat resistance of E. coli O157:H7 and nonpathogenic E. coli was decreased, while freeze-thaw resistance was increased. Heat and freeze-thaw resistance of the rpoS mutant was enhanced only after acid adaptation. Increased or decreased tolerance of acid-adapted. starved, or cold-stressed E. coli O157:H7 cells to heat or freeze-thaw processes should be considered when processing minimally processed or extended shelf-life foods.