Abstract: Ionic liquids have excellent properties such as low vapor pressure, non-flammation, good stability and high solubility, making them promising for applications in many fields such as food, chemicals and medicine. This article outlines the main physical and chemical properties of the substance, lists its applications in the food industry as a solvent, catalyst, and extractant for separation, purification, and analysis of food components, and provides an overview of its toxicological safety related to ecological and human health risks at the microbial, plant, and animal levels, which will provide a reference for scientific application and safety management of imidazole ionic liquids in the food industry.

Key words: green solvent; ionic liquid; alkyl imidazole; food application; safety