A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry GC-MS/MS method for the detection of 18 phthalates PAEs in white spirits was developed. MethodsThe samples were spiked with isotope internal standards, adjusted by alcohol concentration, and finally extracted with toluene. The supernatant were determined by GC-MS/MS. ResultsThe calibration curves of 18 phthalates obtained were linear with correlation coefficients above 0.991. It was effective in the determination of phthalates in white spirits. The limits of detection were 3.1-150.0 μg/L and the limits of quantification were 9.9-500.0 μg/L. The recoveries were 98.5%-119.8% with the RSD of 0.6%-15.6% at different spiking levels. ConclusionThe method improved the specificity for PAEs detection in white spirits and was applicable for multi-component PAEs detection.