Gold nanoparticles(GNPs)have good biocompatibility and unique optical properties,and their surfaces can be combined with biological and organic molecules to form functionalized GNPs.Owing to these characteristics,GNPs have a wide range of applications in food safety detection.This article reviews the application of GNPs for the detection of food-borne pathogens,biotoxins,heavy metal ions,drug residues,food additives,illegal additives,and other harmful food factors.Moreover,prospects for the application of GNPs in food safety detection are also discussed.