To estimate the appropriate tolerance limit of fluoride in food in China, fluoride-related endemic diseases, background levels of fluoride in foods, and daily total intake of fluoride per capita were studied in addition to the subchronic toxicity test of fluoride in rats. In the general population, the daily total intake of fluoride from food, water, and air is 1.45-3.15 mg per capita. On the basis of these results and other information, it is suggested that the ADI of fluoride in the Chinese population should be 3.5 mg per capita, or 0.058 mg/kg body wt, and the tolerance limit of fluoride should be 1.0 ppm in rice, wheat flour, vegetables, and freshwater fish.