The work aims to review the regulations on food grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and the typical non-intentionally added substances in rPET, in order to provide reference for the establishment of regulations and standards for food grade rPET in China. The development process of regulations on food grade rPET in China and abroad was sorted out. The sources, residues and migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) such as volatile organic compounds, non-volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in rPET were analyzed and summarized. It was found that many countries had established regulations and regulatory systems for food grade rPET. NIAS in rPET had a wide range of sources and different toxicities, while the typical NIAS migration and residue were small. In summary, rPET has great potential to be used as the direct food contact materials, and there is a global trend for the use of rPET as food contact materials. China should clarify the legal status of rPET and formulate relevant rPET safety standards as soon as possible.