Objective To investigate the current usage of local plant raw materials in some provinces of China, summarize the existing problems in the establishment of local food safety standards and put forward suggestions for the scientific and reasonable formulation of local food safety standards of plant raw materials in the future. To understand the current situation of the usage of local plant raw materials in some provinces of China, summarize the existing problems in the establishment of local food safety standards in China, and put forward suggestions for the scientific and reasonable formulation of local food safety standards of plant raw materials in the future.Methods The questionnaire survey was conducted in Yunnan, Guangdong, Shandong, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Anhui provinces, covering the confusion of using plant raw materials in common food. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used for data export and collation, and the data was statistically analyzed. By using the method of questionnaire survey, and the questionnaire survey was conducted in Yunnan, Guangdong, Shandong, Shanxi, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Anhui provinces,aiming at the confusion of using plant raw materials in common food. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used for data export and collation, and the data was statistically analyzed.Results A total of 315 valid questionnaires were collected. Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata, Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., Crocus sativus L., Rosa laevigata Michx., Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg were the most frequently mentioned. Most of the plant raw materials were cultivated in large area or local area within the province, and had more than 30 years of diet history. In industrial products, tea substitutes were the most common type. In cooking and dining food, soup or stewing with other foods were the most common use. Most of the respondents suggested establishing standards for raw materials and evaluating the food safety. A total of 315 valid questionnaires were collected. Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata, Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., Crocus sativus L., Rosa laevigata Michx., Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg have the largest number among all the raw materials. The plant raw materials which planted in large area or local area of internal province, more than 30 years edible history, have the largest number. In industrially produced food, the substitute tea has the largest number. In cooking and dining food, making soup or stewing with other foods has the largest number. Most of the respondents suggested establishing standards for raw materials and evaluating the food safety.Conclusion The investigation highlighted the problems in using and management of plant raw materials in China. Therefore, it should strengthen the research on the background information of plant raw materials, conduct relevant research and scientifically formulate the local food safety standards based on risk assessment. The investigation highlighted the problems in using and management of plant raw materials in China. Therefore, it should strengthen the research on the background information of plant raw materials, conduct relevant research, and scientifically position the local food safety standards based on food safety risk assessment.