To understand the condition of cadmium contamination in main food, and to assess the risk of dietary exposure to cadmium in Jinan. MethodsSurveillance on cadmium contents in wheat, rice, aquatic products, livestock and poultry, vegetable, egg and dairy products was conducted in Jinan from 2011 to 2012. According to the average food intake of Shandong residents and the cadmium PTMI 25 μg/kg BW in food established by JECFA in 2010, the point assessment method was applied to assess resident exposure risk. Results441 food specimens were tested. The average cadmium contents were 49.39 μg/kg, the cadmium contents level at the 50th percentile (P50) was 13.40 μg/kg, and P95 was 118.20 μg/kg. The total detection rate was 90.02% and the violation rate was 0.91%. The cadmium contents in wheat, rice and vegetables were all detected but the detection rate of dairy products was the lowest. The cadmium contents in aquatic products was the highest withthe average cadmium contents of 206.43 μg/kg. The monthly average cadmium intake from main food in Jinan was estimated to be 8.83 μg/kg BW, accounted for 35.32% of PTMI. Aquatic products, wheat and vegetable were the higher contributors and their contribution were 46.43%, 32.62% and 9.51%, respectively. These three foods contributed more than 80% to the total dietary cadmium exposure. ConclusionThe level of dietary cadmium exposure from main food in Jinan was within safety limit, so the risk of dietary intake of cadmium was not obvious. However, more attention should be paid to cephalopods and shellfish.