Abstract: Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous industrial chemicals used as plasticizers in plastics with neural, reproductive and developmental toxicity. As endocrine disrupting agents, they have harsh effects on the liver, kidneys and the reproductive system, so several countries have listed some of PAEs as the priority contaminants. Diet is one of the most important sources through which humans are exposed to PAEs. Residues of PAEs have been detected in various foodstuffs. The safety of aquatic products, which are important in providing proteins for human beings, affect consumers' health directly. The review reports on the concentrations and distribution of PAEs in domestic and overseas fishery products, and introduces health risk assessment of human exposure for PAEs via diet through hazard identification, dose-response analysis, exposure assessment and risk characterization. In the end, the research trends are prospected.