Objective To analyze special trade concerns(STCs) related to food WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary neasures (SPS Committee) and provide recommendations for the solution of China's special trade concerns. Methods Based on STCs data from WTO/SPS Information Management System, SPS STCs annual reports, SPS notifications and news reports between 1995 and 2016, a statistics and descriptive analysis was conducted from diverse perspectives such as the amount of STCs, involved members and focus fields. Results The number of STCs changed irregularly. Both developed and developing members had been paid great attention to the adoption of STC mechanism. However, the involved members had high concentration characteristics. Agro-products were the hot products, while import restriction, maximum limit of pollutants, and inspection and quarantine measures for animal and plants were focus measures. The harmonization with international standards and scientific nature of the measures were flash points. Conclusion The STC is one of the effective and efficient mechanisms to solve international trade conflictions. In view of the status of the international standard organizations and the solving practices of STCs, to intensify international standardization construction, improve the voice in international standard organizations, strive for multilateral cooperation and keep continuous concern on STCs will have a positive influence on solving STCs.