To compare general standards of contaminants and toxins in food established by Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) with the basic standards used in China in terms of contaminant species, food categories and maximum levels; and to provide evidence and reference for revising and improving our basic standards of contaminants and toxins in food. There are 20 contaminant species in our basic standards and 15 contaminant species in CAC standards; but 8 of them are the same. The food categories in our basic standards are more than that in CAC standards. Within comparable indexes, the maximum level of 19 indexes in China standards is equal to that in CAC standards, 6 of them are more generous than CAC standards and only one of them is stricter than CAC standards. Among the maximum levels, 77% in China basic standards are equal to or higher than the requirement of CAC standards, and the extent of coincidence with CAC general standards is very high.