To investigate the heavy metals contamination in food in Henan Province in 2010.Methods3 657 samples of 8 kinds were collected from 18 cities in Henan Province in 2010. The contamination of lead, cadmium and mercury were analyzed respectively according to the standard of GB/T 5009.12-2003, GB/T 5009.15-2003 and GB/T 5009.17-2003. The results were evaluated according to the standard of GB 2762-2012. ResultsThe average level of lead, cadmium and mercury in food were 0.34,0.054 and 0.077 mg/kg, and the violation rates were 8.8%, 3.9% and 8.3%, respectively. The violation rates of lead in cereals, meat and vegetable were 17.2%, 14.5% and 10.7%, respectively; those of cadmium in edible fungus and eggs were 9.6% and 8.1%; and those of mercury in vegetable and cereals were 25.3% and 12.3%.ConclusionThe lead and mercury contamination in food was serious in Henan Province, especially in cereals, vegetables and meat. There was an urgent need to strengthen the monitoring and supervision on food safety.