This review discusses the challenges and solutions in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW). FW is characterized by high organic content, moisture, fat, and salt, and poses challenges such as foaming, acidification, and ammonia inhibition, which reduce biogas yield. These issues are due to the high lipid content, low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and presence of harmful substances in FW. The review highlights the need for pretreatment, co-digestion, and additives to improve AD performance. Pretreatment methods such as physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments aim to enhance the biodegradability of FW and reduce the inhibitory effects of harmful substances. Co-digestion with other organic wastes like algae, sludge, and manure helps balance nutrient levels, reduce ammonia inhibition, and increase biogas yield. Additives such as biochar and iron-based materials enhance microbial activity, improve biogas yield, and reduce the accumulation of VFAs and ammonia. The review also addresses emerging contaminants like antibiotics, microplastics, and plasticizers in FW, which pose environmental and health risks. Strategies to mitigate these contaminants include the use of biochar and iron-based materials, which can adsorb and degrade these substances. However, further research is needed to optimize pretreatment methods, identify suitable co-digestion substrates, and evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of AD of FW. The study concludes that improving AD of FW through these strategies is essential for effective waste management and sustainable energy production.This review discusses the challenges and solutions in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW). FW is characterized by high organic content, moisture, fat, and salt, and poses challenges such as foaming, acidification, and ammonia inhibition, which reduce biogas yield. These issues are due to the high lipid content, low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and presence of harmful substances in FW. The review highlights the need for pretreatment, co-digestion, and additives to improve AD performance. Pretreatment methods such as physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments aim to enhance the biodegradability of FW and reduce the inhibitory effects of harmful substances. Co-digestion with other organic wastes like algae, sludge, and manure helps balance nutrient levels, reduce ammonia inhibition, and increase biogas yield. Additives such as biochar and iron-based materials enhance microbial activity, improve biogas yield, and reduce the accumulation of VFAs and ammonia. The review also addresses emerging contaminants like antibiotics, microplastics, and plasticizers in FW, which pose environmental and health risks. Strategies to mitigate these contaminants include the use of biochar and iron-based materials, which can adsorb and degrade these substances. However, further research is needed to optimize pretreatment methods, identify suitable co-digestion substrates, and evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of AD of FW. The study concludes that improving AD of FW through these strategies is essential for effective waste management and sustainable energy production.