Objective To analyze the current status of synthetic biology related literature in the field of food safety, identify research hotspots and development trends, and provide reference for the formulation of food safety management standards and risk assessment strategies in China. Methods Based on the Web of Science core collection database, literature search was conducted, and VOS viewer software was used to perform co-occurrence analysis of Keywords, achieving visual measurement of research topics. Results The number of synthetic biology research in the field of food safety is showing a stable growth trend. High frequency keyword analysis reveals that current research hotspots focus on food processing technology and risk assessment, the relationship between food safety and climate change, the application of synthetic biology in crop improvement, and the safety of genetically modified microorganisms in food applications. Conclusion Synthetic biology provides innovative solutions for ensuring food nutrition supply and reducing environmental impact, but the associated new risks urgently need to be addressed with caution. It is urgent to establish a scientific regulatory evaluation system and deepen its application while ensuring safety, in order to build a more resilient and sustainable food system.