For problems of food safety caused by microbial contamination and environmental safety due to drug-resistant strains, the development of emerging natural food additives with broad-spectrum and high-efficiency has been vital study trends in a modern food safety. Antimicrobial peptides(AMPs) are paid much attention for its advantage of broad-spectrum, good stability, unique antimicrobial mechanism of action and lower residue. With the further research, AMPs are expected to play a vital role in the application of food safety. Considering it, AMPs-related researches abroad were concluded in recent years. A review of the exploring and classification situation of AMPs,the development of bio-resistance and mechanism for bacteria, fungi, parasites, virus and tumor cells was provided. Meanwhile, the potential application fields of AMPs in food safety and scientific problems urgent to solve were analyzed. The resolution strategy also is provided for researchers as a reference in the field.