By analyzing a foodborne disease outbreak in a catering service, the applicability, operability and limitations of the Food Safety Law were discussed. Methods To describe, analyze and discuss the case investigation process and the court decision. Results The Food Safety Law has some limitations in the implementation, and needs to gradually improve.Conclusion The Food Safety Law needs to be improved, especially in terms of the punishment on catering service units during food borne illness outbreak, and the principles and standards of foodborne disease diagnosis needs to update.