The effect of various foods on the intestinal absorption of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) was studied. Mixtures of ¹⁴C-BP and twelve kinds of foods and food components were administered orally to rats, and the radioactivity in blood was determined at intervals. Oils such as triolein and soybean oil enhanced the absorption of BP and the absorption ratios were 50.5% and 39.4%, respectively. On the other hand, water suspension, and solid foods and food components such as cellulose, lignin, bread, rice flake, starch, potato flake, spinach, katsuobushi (dried bonito) and ovalbumin suppressed the absorption of BP and the absorption ratios were 20.1% to 29.5%. Among solid foods and food components, the absorption was related to the extent of BP release from foods in vitro. The binding of BP to solid foods might be the most important factor in suppressing the intestinal absorption of BP.