Objective To study the prevalence and characteristics of foodborne diseases outbreaks in the areas covered by National Foodborne Diseases Surveillance Network in 2005.Method The foodborne disease data collected by National Foodborne Diseases Surveillance Network in 2005 were analyzed.Results Four hundreds and eighty-five outbreaks of foodborne diseases were reported from 14 provinces in China,which caused 10 179 cases and 45 deaths.Among outbreaks in those the hazards determined,the microbial pathogens caused the largest percentage of outbreaks(42.4%)and the largest percentage of cases(58.2%),toxic animals and plants,30.3% of outbreaks and 25.6% of cases,and chemical hazards,23.2% of outbreaks and 9.2% of cases.Conclusion Microbial foodborne diseases are the first priority food safety problems in China.Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the major specie of foodborne pathogens.