Objective To understand the situation of chemical contamination of foods in Guangdong Province. Method Different kinds of food samples were collected from each monitoring spots in Guangdong in summer and fall since 2000. More than 80 items were examined for pesticide residues, metal contaminants, food additives and fungus toxin. Results A total of 43 976 test data had been gained during the 6 years. The rates of qualified samples which met the national hygienic standard of lead and cadmium in foods were 91.6% and 89.6% respectively. The lead levels in samples of preserved eggs and vegetables and cadmium levels in samples of squilla dry germ, pig kidney and rice were proved having lower rates of qualification. In samples of vegetable and fruit, the detection rate of organophosphorous pesticide residues was 10.0% and 8.6% of the samples exceeded the tolerance limit both lower than those recorded 10 years ego. The detection rate of cypermethrin residues in various kinds of vegetables ranged 21.7% - 31.8%, indicating that the use of pyrethrins was more widespread in recent years. Sweet flavor and antiseptic additives in some processed foods exceeded the standard limit seriously. Sodium cyclamate in 44.4% of preserved fruits, such as salted orange peel and hua-mei, exceeded the standard limit. High rates of saccharin, sodium cyclamate, sorbic acid and benzoic acid in samples of pickled vegetables were going beyond the standsrd limit. Illegally adding tartrazine, sunset yellow and poncea in cooked meat products was a popular practice. High content of chloropropanol was found in part of bulk sauce. Conclusion Close attention should be paid to the problem of chemical contamination of the processed food sold in the township bazaars of Guangdong.