Organophosphate esters (OPEs), introduced as substitutes for traditional brominated flame retardants,were widely applied across various sectors in recent years. Consequently, they emerged as ubiquitous emerging environmental contaminants and constituted a significant source of dietary exposure in human populations. The contamination status of OPEs in food commodities and the associated health risks thus attracted increasing attention within the field of public health. This review systematically synthesized the chemical classification, physicochemical properties and contamination distribution patterns of OPEs across diverse food categories, as well as the characteristics of human exposure. Additionally, that summarized all kinds of potential health damage effects it has on the human body.Comprehensive analysed of existing studies yields the following core conclusions: OPEs contamination in food was found to be pervasive, with contamination levels varying significantly across different food categories. The OPEs contamination profiles were characterized in cereals, meat, dairy products and other food groups, and the contribution of food contact materials was delineated. Dietary intake was identified as the predominant route of human exposure to OPEs, with vulnerable populations such as infants and young children exhibiting particularly elevated exposure risks.OPEs were demonstrated to exert toxic effects on the nervous system, endocrine regulation, reproductive function and metabolic processes in humans, and these effects varied by age and sex. Nevertheless, notable gaps persisted in the existing literature, particularly concerning mixed-exposure risk assessment, the health effects of chronic low-dose exposure, and the development of effective risk mitigation strategies, which requires further in-depth exploration. This review concluded by discussing these limitations and offering a forward-looking perspective from a public health standpoint, with the aim of identifying promising directions for future research in this field.