Abstract: Diethylstilbestrol, one of the most effective synthetic estrogens, was once used as a growth promoter in animal husbandry. Studies have found that its residue in food origin animals can cause serious harm to human health and ecological environment. In this paper, the characteristics and hazard of diethylstilbestrol residues were reviewed, with emphasis on the research progress of the detection technology of diethylstilbestrol residues.