Objective To understand the contaminating characteristics of pathogenic bacteria in food from Shanghai markets.Methods To get the food samples in Shanghai food monitoring points randomly in 2010 and detect 11 pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella,Vibrio parahaemolyticus and so on.Results The total positive ratio of pathogenic bacteria in food samples account for 7.6%.The mainly food categories polluted by pathogenic bacteria are left-over rice food(25.0%),raw poultry meat(21.7%),raw livestock meat(19.0%),raw seafood(14.4%),ready-to-eat food(4.5%) and quick-frozen boiled food made of glour(1.7%).In addition,Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafood(21.0%),Lister monocytogene in raw pourtry meat(19.8%) and Salmonella in raw pork(11.6%) are the mainly pathogenic bacteria combinations which may cause food-borne diseases,and cooket meat,milk products,raw eggs,ready-to-eat vegetable without cooking,frozen drinks,pastry and non-fermented bean products were negative in detecting pathogenic bacteria in 2010.Conclusion Some food,especially some raw products in Shanghai markets can be polluted by pathogenic bacteria.Thoroughly cooking and preventing cross-contamination need to be done to improve food safety.