Abstract: Pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary drug residues and other organic contaminants in foods are important factors that can be detrimental to food safety. Therefore, establishing an efficient extraction and purification method for the determination of organic contaminants in foods is of great significance to ensure food safety. This paper gives a brief overview of the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method and its application in the determination of organic contaminants in foods. Meanwhile problems existing in the application of QuEChERS are discussed, and a general principle for the optimization of QuEChERS was proposed. Finally, we conclude with our perspectives on the future trends of QuEChERS in the determination of organic contaminants in foods.

Key words: QuEChERS, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, veterinary drug residues, organic contaminants