To optimize gas chromatography and mass spectrometry conditions, establish a method for determination of 16 phthalic acid esters in juice using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and investigate the contamination level in juice in Anyang City.MethodsThe samples were extracted by hexanes, purified with ProElut PSA Glass column, concentrated by nitrogen drying and then determined by GC-MS/MS using external standard method. Results16 phthalic acid esters were separated completely within 24 minutes. The linearity of 16 phthalic acid esters was 5-5 000 μg/L with correlation coefficients (r²) above 0.99. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 0.1%-6.1%. Recoveries ranged from 78% to 106% for all compounds at three different spiked levels. The limits of detection were 0.1-0.5 μg/L.Conclusion16 phthalic acid esters were better separated in the suitable conditions of gas chromatography. Choosing the highest and most abundant mass precursor ion and the best collision energy, the detection of product ion by GC-MS/MS could reduce the background and improve the sensitivity. The method was simple, accurate and sensitive. It was suitable for the determination of phthalic acid esters in juice.