With the growing demand for food safety detection, traditional analytical methods face significant technical challenges, such as lengthy detection cycles and low efficiency, particularly when dealing with complex food matrices and large sample volumes. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AMS) has emerged as a cutting-edge rapid analytical tool, demonstrating remarkable advantages in food safety detection since it requires no or minimal sample preparation. Characterized by high analytical speed and efficiency, AMS has been successfully applied to the rapid detection of various hazardous substances in foods, including pesticide and veterinary drug residues, chemical contaminants, and toxins. Furthermore, ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AMSI) provides spatial distribution information of chemical compounds on sample surfaces, offering a visual basis for in situ sampling. This review systematically outlines the development and classification of AMS, with a focus on the current status of its application in the field of food safety. Additionally, it delves into the latest advancements in AMSI. The aim of this article is to provide a theoretical foundation and technical guidance for the selection and application of AMS and AMSI in rapid food safety detection.