Abstract: Foodborne pathogen is an important factor which affects food safety. Quick and accurate prediction of the microbial changes in the process of food processing and storage and transportation is essential for food risk assessment. Firstly, this review overviewed the history and development of fluorescent quantitative PCR. The basic principles of both fluorescent dye and hydrolysis probe method were emphatically introduced. Their advantages and disadvantages were discussed, and their applications were summarized and prospected. Then, the history and development of predictive microbiology were introduced. At the same time, one-level, two-level and three-level model were outlooked and classified. Meanwhile, the significance of predictive model and the problems needing attention in food research was discussed. Finally, the application of fluorescent quantitative PCR in predictive microbiology was introduced, and the current research situation at home and abroad was summarized. The possible reasons for the slow development were pointed out. This review aims to promote the application of fluorescent quantitative PCR in the field of predictive microbiology, and further promote the development of predictive microbiology.