This study investigated the effects of trace elements (TEs) on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW) in laboratory-scale semi-continuously fed anaerobic digesters. The duration of digesters operation was approximately 400days. Organic loading rates (OLRs) ranged from 1.0 to 5.5gVSL −1 d −1 at 37°C. Results showed that methane production of the digester was severely inhibited at a volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of 30,000mgL −1 at OLR of 4.0gVSL −1 d −1 in the absence of TEs. Contrary to the failed digesters, a stable performance was achieved in the TEs added digesters. High methane yield (approximately 465.4mLCH 4 g −1 VS added ) was obtained, and no significant accumulation of VFA was observed in the TEs added digesters at OLR of 1.0–5.0gVSL −1 d −1 and HRT of 40days. These findings strongly indicated that the addition of TEs has an important impact on the operation stability of AD of FW.