To learn the status of antibiotic susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) isolated from foods in China, and provide basic data to the surveillance of antibiotic resistance of Lm isolated from foods in China, the antibiotic susceptibility to 13 antibiotics of 142 strains of Lm in foods from 11 provinces and cities was studied by E-test. The average rate of antibiotic resistance of the 142 strains of Lm was 14.1%. The high rates of resistance were detected in tests with tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin and streptomycin. Resistance to tetracycline was most prevalent, accouting for 13.4%. Strains from raw chicken had the highest rate of antibiotic resistance (27.1%). Among the 11 provinces and cities, Henan, Beijing and Jilin were the top three regions in rate of resistant strains (37.5%, 26.3% and 25.0%, respectively). This study indicates that antibiotic-resistant strains of Listeria monocytogenes exist in foods of China and that adequate and efficient antibiotic treatment of listeriosis is crucial for the prevention and control of the development of antibiotic-resistant Lm.