Objective To investigate the contamination of foodborne parasites in market-sold and awareness of foodborne parasite knowledge and behaviors pertaining to foodborne parasites among residents in Putuo District, Shanghai Municipality from 2017 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategies for foodborne parasites in this district. Methods Freshwater fishes, freshwater shrimps, crabs and shellfishes, marine fishes, raw pickled aquatic products of animal origin, bullfrogs, and pasteurized milks were collected using a stratified random sampling method from different circulation links across different streets in Putuo District from 2017 to 2024, and the contamination of food-borne parasites was detected using the microscopy following dissection, artificial digestion method, and quantitative real-time PCR assay. Aquatic product sales personnel, service personnel and residents in food circulation places were randomly sampled using a stratified random sampling method from supermarkets, agricultural trade markets and restaurants from 2023 to 2024, and the awareness of foodborne parasitic diseases knowledge, habits of consumption of raw food and willingness to receive foodborne parasitic diseases control were investigated among participants using questionnaire surveys. Fisher’s exact probability test was used to compare proportions, followed by multiple comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Results A total of 1 055 food samples were collected and detected from 2017 to 2024, and 45 samples were tested positive for foodborne parasites, with an overall detection rate of 4.27%. The detection of Anisakis was 1.43% (33/105) in marine fish samples, with parasites predominantly detected in Scomber japonicus (3/3), Larimichthys polyactis (56.00%, 14/25), Trichiurus haumela (51.72%, 15/29) and Larimichthys crocea (1/17), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of Anisakis infections among different types of marine fishes (Fisher’s exact probability test, P < 0.01). The detection of Echinostoma metacercariae was 11.32% (12/106) in raw pickled aquatic products of animal origin, and there was a significant difference in the detection of Echinostoma metacercariae among different types of raw pickled aquatic products of animal origin (Fisher’s exact probability test, P < 0.01). However, no foodborne parasites were detected in freshwater fishes, freshwater shrimps, crabs and shellfishes, bullfrogs, or pasteurized milk samples. The detection rates of Anisakis were 17.39% (4/23), 36.36% (28/77), 1/4, and 0/1 in marine fish samples from supermarkets and retail stores, agricultural trade markets, restaurants, and online stores, respectively (Fisher’s exact probability test, P > 0.05), and the detection rates of Echinostoma metacercariae were 18.18% (6/33), 17.14% (6/35), 0/13, and 0 (0/25) in raw pickled aquatic products of animal origin from supermarkets and retail stores, agricultural trade markets, restaurants, and online stores, respectively (Bonferroni correction, P > 0.05), indicating that the detection rate of foodborne parasites did not correlate sampling sites. Questionnaire survey showed that the awareness of foodborne parasitic diseases was 74.02% (94/127) among residents, with relatively higher awareness among participants at ages of 40 to 49 years (87.50%, 21/24), urban residents (76.07%, 89/117), participants with a bachelor degree (82.61%, 57/69), and healthcare professionals (100%, 32/32). Of all respondents, 61.42% (78/127) had behaviors of consumption of raw or semi-raw food, with a relatively higher proportion among participants at ages of 30 to 39 years (80.95%, 34/42) and postgraduates (7/10), and 96.06% (122/127) were willing to change their special dietary preferences or poor dietary habits. In addition, 97.64% (124/127) of respondents were willing to receive standardized treatment post-infection, and 53.54% (68/127) were willing to learn knowledge pertaining to foodborne parasitic diseases, with relative lower willingness among men (41.86%, 18/43), participants at ages of 18 to 29 years (44.74%, 17/38), suburban residents (4/10), retirees/unemployed persons (3/7), and aquatic food catchers/sellers (3/7). Conclusion There is a risk of foodborne parasite contaminations in circulating food in Putuo District, Shanghai Municipality, with relatively higher prevalence of foodborne parasite infections in marine fishes and raw pickled aquatic products of animal origin. The awareness of foodborne parasitic diseases knowledge is high among residents; however, the proportion of residents without behaviors of consuming raw or semi-raw food is low, indicating a discrepancy between the awareness and behaviors. Continuous monitoring and health education are required to be intensified.