To assess the dietary exposure of DEHP and its health risk among Chinese adult drinkers, including general drinkers population, male and female adults aged 18-59 as well as male and female elderly aged 60 and above.Methods9 284 food samples were collected during 2011-2013 and categorized into 24 food groups which covered major diets in China. Food consumption data were taken from China National Nutrition and Health Survey performed in 2002 including 68 959 subjects. Mean concentrations of DEHP were combined with individual food consumption data to estimate dietary exposure. The exposure was compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of DEHP. ResultsIt was found that mean DEHP level in foods was 0.12 mg/kg. Mean dietary intakes of DEHP in general adult drinkers population was 2.23 μg/kg BW, accounting for 4.45% of TDI (50 μg/kg BW), and the maximum dietary intake was 10.04 μg/kg BW. The mean and maximum DEHP intake of male adult aged 18-59 was higher than other gender and age groups. Main food sources of DEHP for general adult drinkers were rice (26.97%), much more higher than other kinds of food, followed by liquor which was 15.89%.ConclusionIt was suggested that dietary exposure to DEHP among Chinese adult drinkers population was lower than the tolerable daily intake of DEHP and there was no health concern based on generally accepted exposure limits.