This work examines gas sensor array technology combined with multivariate data processing methods and demonstrates a promising potential for rapid, non-destructive analysis of food. Main attention is focused on detailed description of sensor used in e-nose instruments, construction, and principle of operation of these systems. Moreover, this paper briefly reviews the progress in the field of artificial olfaction and future trends in electronic nose technology, namely, e-nose based on mass spectrometry. Further discussion concerns a comparison of artificial nose with gas chromatography-olfactometry and the application of e-nose instruments in different areas of food industry.