Chemometrics is a novel and unique interdisciplinary technique that integrates mathematics, statistics, chemistry and computer science. Pattern recognition and multivariate calibration method, as the core aspects of the technique, have exhibited overwhelming advantages in massive data mining and processing, as well as resolution and analysis of analytic signals. In addition, it is able to solve complex problems which are difficult to be solved by conventional analytic methods, resulting in the method to be widely used in many research fields, including food analysis. This paper reviews the fundamental principles of chemometrics in regards of its advantages and disadvantages,applications, and recent progresses. Furthermore, the review has pointed out problems which need to be solved in current researches, and highlighted the prospective aspects of the technique.