To investigate dibutyl phthalate(DBP)concentration level in food, assess the dietary exposure of DBP among Chinese population and its potential health risks. Methods Using simple distribution method to estimate DBP dietary exposure in Chinese population, DBP concentration level of 24 food categories was collected during 2011 to 2013 and the consumption data were taken from China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002. Subsequently, the risk was characterized by calculating the exposure and comparing with the tolerable daily intake (TDI, 0.01 mg/kg BW) of DBP.Results DBP concentration level in foods was in the range of not detected to 46.50 mg/kg, and the mean was 0.11 mg/kg. The mean dietary intake of DBP in general population was 1.21 μg/kg BW, accounting for 12.08% of TDI. The dietary intake of DBP high-consuming populations was 2.84 μg/kg BW, accounting for 28.42% of TDI.The major food contributors to DBP were rice (20.30%) and instant noodles (15.34%) for the general population.Conclusion This results suggested that the DBP exposure in Chinese population was considerably lower than the TDI and the health risk caused by DBP at this intake level was quite low.