Objective To understand the characteristics of collective food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Shanghai municipality.Method The data of collective food poisoning in Shanghai Municipality during 2000-2007 was collected,and the cases of collective food poisoning resulted from Vibrio parahaemolyticus were analyzed.Results The cases of collective food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus accounted for 57.4% in total cases of collective food poisoning from 2000 to 2007 in Shanghai municipality,and the number of patients accounted for 56.0%.The collective food poisoning caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Shanghai mainly happened from May to October.July,August and September were the peaks of food poisoning.The causes were cross contamination between uncooked and cooked foods(58.6 %)and pollution made by processors(18.6 %).The main foods caused by poisoning were mixed foods(71.4 %,for example,box lunch),livestock and poultry meat products(16.4%),and aquatic products(8.6%).The responsibility units in which food poisoning were caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus were hotel and restaurant(33.6%),box lunch-supported enterprise(21.4%)and mess hall(20.5 %),respectively.Conclusion Vibrio parahaemolyticus could be the chief pathogen.More training and supervision on catering industry should be strengthened to prevent cross contamination in high temperature season.