The quorum sensing system is a gene expression regulation system widely existing in a variety of microorganisms. It can realize the targeted regulation of related genes by the density perception of specific signal molecules, and exhibit different behaviors and characteristics in comparison with that in low density conditions, which helps to adapt the changes of environment. Due to the obvious biological universality, unique mechanism and high efficiency of quorum sensing regulation, it had become a research hotspot in the field of microbiology in recent years. As an important research object in food industry, microorganisms played important roles in research fields such as food preservation, probiotics production, food fermentation, green biosynthesis, microbial preservative and flavor agent production, etc. Therefore, to clarify the role of quorum sensing system in the above fields might be helpful to promote the further development of microorganisms in food production. This review focused on the main types of quorum sensing and the related regulatory mechanisms and summarized its important role in food spoilage and potential application in the future food industry. The future development of quorum sensing in food research was prospected, which might provide theoretical basis for the development of new food related technology based on quorum sensing.