The work aims to compare the differences in acidic food simulants between China and European Union (EU), and investigate the associated influence on migration from food contact materials into food simulants. Four typical types of acidic food (123 species in total) collected from the domestic and foreign markets were tested on pH values. Migration tests were conducted on food contact materials and articles with 3% acetic acid and 4% acetic acid as food simulants. The total migration amount, as well as the specific migration amount of formaldehyde, melamine, bisphenol A and heavy metal (Sb) were measured, and the differences in migration amount between the two acidic food simulants were analyzed. The pH test results showed that the pH range of the four kinds of acidic food produced in China was 2.3-5.1, and the pH range of the four kinds of acidic food produced abroad was 2.49-4.88. pH<5 had a coverage greater than or equal to pH<4.5 for all 4 types of acidic food. The migration test results showed that the migration amount, either total migration amount or specific migration amount in 4% acetic acid was equal to or higher than those in 3% acetic acid in most cases, while the case of higher migration amount in 3% acetic acid was rare. Based on the results, the definition of acidic food according to pH<5 is in line with Chinese people's dining habits, and the coverage of acidic food is wider and more reasonable. The result of the migration test shows that 4% acetic acid is a more severe food simulant than 3% acetic acid. Therefore, for food contact materials imported from abroad to China, even if they have already been tested for migration with 3% acetic acid according to the European Union (EU) standard, they should be tested again with 4% acetic acid according to the Chinese standard, so as to satisfy the requirements of the Chinese standard.