The origins and mechanisms of formation of the recently identified and possible food carcinogen furan are reviewed including analytical methods used for its determination in food products. Literature data indicate a multiple source of furan formation originating from (i) thermal degradation/Maillard reaction of reducing sugars alone or in the presence of amino acids, (ii) thermal degradation of certain amino acids, and thermal oxidation of (iii) ascorbic acid, (iv) poly-unsaturated fatty acids and (v) carotenoids. Two approaches were suggested for the analysis of furan in food samples, one is based on simple headspace-GC/ MS and other is based on solid phase micro-extraction-GC/MS. Both techniques can detect furan in ppb levels and are adequate for monitoring low levels of furan formed in food.