The Codex Alimentarius Commission has established quantitative risk assessment standards and monitoring protocols for foodborne bacterial pathogens. Here, a simple protocol and a time and cost-effective platform were investigated based on the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to identify 4 pathogens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, which were obtained from 7 types of vegetables. This protocol and platform will be helpful for routine monitoring of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, the samples obtained from the Beijing region of China were monitored and reviewed, and the survey results showed 26.0% of samples tested positive for microorganisms. E. coli was present most often (14.0%) and showed similar positive proportions among all of the vegetable products. In addition, exogenous contamination from the transport, storage or primary processing of vegetables requires special attention.