In view of the frequent incidents of “problematic sprouts” in recent years, this paper introduced the function and harm of 6-Benzylaminopurine and other plant growth regulators which were forbidden to be added in the production of bean sprouts. Moreover, the application status of high performance liquid chromatography, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical, immunoassay and biosensor in the detection of growth regulators were also reviewed, and the development direction of detection methods was prospected.