Abstract: According to the method determining sodium in food in GB 5009, the content of sodium in milk powder was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic emission spectrometry at the wavelength of 330.2 nm, and two kinds of methods were compared. The result showed that the sensitivity and detection limit of 2 methods were close, with higher sensitivity of atomic absorption. The precision and accuracy of 2 methods were similar, which all could meet the daily requirements of food inspection. The recovery rate of 2 methods was in 92 %-102 %. On the whole, the method of atomic absorption spectrometry was slightly superior to that of the atomic emission spectrometry.