To evaluate the feasibility of detecting bacterial contamination for cold dish by ATP bioluminescence assay, and to provide the scientific basis for food hygiene fast detection.MethodsATP bioluminescence assay and standard plate counting method were used respectively to detect 80 cold dish from 20 restaurants. ResultsComparing with the standard plate counting method (cfu/g), the false positive rate of the ATP bioluminescence assay (cfu/g) was 18.8% and the false negative rate was 20.4%.ConclusionIt was feasible for rapid preliminary test and evaluation of bacterial contamination by ATP bioluminescence assay at cold food institutions.