The aim of this paper is to present the scale of the impact of the food industry on the environment in Poland. For these purpose a comparative analysis of statistical data for the years 2000-2012 was carried out, including especially : water use, wastewater emissions, air emissions, and waste generation. Results showed that the most burdensome for the environment of food industry sectors in 2012 were: in the quantity of water used – dairy and beverage industries, in waste water emissions – the dairy industry, in relation to the amount of emissions of air pollutants – the sugar industry, and in terms of waste generated – the sugar and beverage industries.