The invention discloses a rapid detection reagent for formaldehyde in food. The rapid detection reagent is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 10 to 15 parts of sodium periodate, 1 to 2 parts of calcium hydroxide, 8 to 12 parts of petroleum ether, 3 to 8 parts of methyl dihydrojasmonate, 4 to 8 parts of sodium silicate, 2 to 7 parts of tea polyphenol, 0.1 to 1 part of carboxybenzenesulfonamide, 1 to 3 parts of ferrous nitrate, 2 to 5 parts of succinic acid, 0.1 to 1 part of sodium stearate, 3 to 8 parts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, 1 to 3 parts of zinc sulfite, 0.2 to 2 parts of sodium acetate, 1 to 5 parts of acetylacetone, 10 to 20 parts of anhydrous ethanol and 25 to 70 parts of water. The rapid detection reagent for the formaldehyde in the food, disclosed by the invention, is sensitive to formaldehyde stone powder and can quickly and accurately judge whether the food contains the formaldehyde or not; the rapid detection reagent has the advantagesof high reaction speed, high accuracy rate and good stability.