An ICP-MS method was developed to determine antimony in polyester (PET) food packaging materials and four food simulants. Using this method, the initial concentration of antimony in PET and the migration from PET to food stimulants by time, temperature and different food simulants were studied. Methods Under different temperatures, different PET samples were soaked in 4food simulants of water, 10% (V/V) ethanol solution, 3% (W/V) acetic acid solution and olive oil, respectively. At certain time point, the soaking solution was analyzed by ICP-MS. ResultsRecoveries of ICP-MS method were in the range of 94.3%-96.1%, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.38%-3.31%. The results showed that migration had positive correlation with temperature, the initial concentration and soaking time, but migration balanced after a certain period. Conclusion Antimony in PET was easier to migrate to acidic food stimulants. It suggested that the consumption of acidic food packaged with PET should be reduced.