Analyze the patterns and epidemic characteristics of food poisoning event of Gansu in during 2004-2012. MethodsDescriptive epidemiology was used to analyze food poisoning data from the report system of emergent public health event of Gansu province from 2004to 2012. ResultsA total of 78food poisoning events were reported with 2508 victims, and the fatality rate was 2.15% (54/2508). Reported cases mostly occurred in the second, third quarter, especially the August. Poisoning incidents occurred mostly in the families, accounting for 41.03% (32/78) of the total cases. Food poisoning incidents and cases caused by bacterial accounted for 33.33%(26/78) and 60.41% (1515/2508) of the total. The deaths were mostly caused by toxic chemicals, accounting for 62.96% (34/54) of all deaths.ConclusionBacteria was the primary factor of food poisoning ,while pesticide and poisons was the main cause of deaths.