To develop a national standard method for rapid determination of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) in food contact papers.Methods When the sample didn't obvious blue or purple fluorescence, FWAs in the sample were extracted by an alkaline solution, the extract was adjusted to acidic and absorbed by gauze,and the fluorescent intensity of the gauze was tested by UV light with the wavelength at 365 nm. Results UV irradiation method could qualitatively determination the high level of FWAs in the sample. UV irradiation method combined with gauze absorption could qualitatively determination the low level of FWAs in the sample and exclude the interference from the natural fluorescent background and other fluorescent pollutants, the limit of detection of FWAs was 10 mg/kg.Conclusion This method was simple, reliable, and suitable for the qualitative determination of FWAs in food contact papers.