Objective To develop a scientific and rapid risk ranking model that is suitable for the analysis of data from food chemicals surveillance system. Methods Based on the principles of food safety risk assessment, a series of index were developed for the contamination and toxicity characteristics of chemicals in food, food consumption characteristics of population, and standards violation rate, respectively. Then the logical operation relationship and the standards for assigning scores were set. The model was verified using real surveillance data. Results Total risk scores were calculated using the equation:total risk score=toxicity adjusted content score × violation rate score × consumption score. This model was applied to the risk classification of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead in aquatic products in China. The ranking result were in line with those estimated by the classical risk assessment model. Conclusion The model could rank the health risk of heavy metals in aquatic products properly, and can provide a scientific foundation for regulatory priority.