As an important component of grease, the composition and content of fatty acids vary with each other for different foods. The analysis of fatty acids can be used in traceability of origin, discrimination of varieties, analyzing food quality, and developing high-quality products. The application of fatty acid analysis in meat, milk and dairy products, vegetable oil, and medicinal and edible homologous food materials were reviewed, providing a new idea and starting point for the further research on food fatty acids.