Abstract: A review on the application of modern instrumental analysis techniques, i.e. spectroscopy (including UV, FL and so on), chromatography (including HPLC, UHPLC and UPC²), mass spectrometry (including LC-MS/MS and LC-Triple TOF MS) and so on in detection of fluorescent whitening agents in the last 10 years was presented. Prospects on the trends of development in this field were also given (80 ref. cited).