samples of vermicelli sold at Chuzhou city in Anhui province were examined for their sanitary quality.Sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate was found in 25(86 2%)samples.Its maximum content in 100 mL water in which 10 g vermicelli had been soaked for 20 minutes was 0 14 mg.The cause of the contamination was sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate was mixed into the vermicelli during processing for reducing its stickiness.More attention should be paid to educate food manufacturers about food hygiene knowledge and make them correct their wrong processing method.