Nitrofurans,a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics,have extensive applications in preventing and controlling diseases in edible animals.The use of nitrofurans is prohibited in many countries and areas because of the potential mutagenicity and nitrofuran residues in animal source food must be undetectable.In recent years,there has been a rapid technological development for the determination of residual nitrofurans and nitrofran metabolites in meat products.This article reviews the basic characteristics of nitrofurans and nitrofran metabolites and recent technological advances in determination.