Abstract: Based on SooPAT's collection of patent data from 2008—2017 in the food industry, the number of Chinese food patent applications, technology distribution, main applicants, and legal status were analyzed to reveal the characteristics and trends of technological innovation in the food industry. The results show that the technological innovation in the food industry continues to improve, but the core technology innovation ability is insufficient; the distribution of core technology areas is relatively stable, food preparation and processing and general preservation are key research and development areas; patent applicants are mainly enterprises, universities and individuals, but core technologies innovation relies on companies and universities with strong R&D capabilities; according to internal and external environmental changes, the applicant's technical field is adjusted in a timely manner; from the legal status, food technology activity and innovation are improving, and applicants' awareness of patent protection is gradually increasing. Suggestions for promoting technological innovation in the food industry were put forward.

Key words: food industry, technology innovation, patent analysis