The current study, using a systematic-literature-search approach, was intended to conduct hazard identification for dehydroacetic acid (DHA) and sodium dehydroacetate (DHA-S) which are currently used as food additives in China. DHA and DHA-S belong to the category of low toxic chemicals in terms of acute toxicity, mainly causing adverse effects in the central nervous system. Its subacute, subchronic and chronic toxicity mainly include significant reduction of body weight and food intake as well as anticoagulant effect. Reproductive development toxicity result show they can decrease body weight and inhibit bone development in offspring. According to the hazard identification result, oral intake of dehydroacetic acid and its sodium salt can produce a variety of toxic effects above certain doses. Further study is needed to determine the acceptable daily intake of DHA and its sodium salt and provide scientific evidence for safely use of these compounds as food additives.