Objective:In order to develop a method, an easy handling of samples and accurate and rapid detection of erythrosine by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was established.Methods:The analysis was as follows: chromatographic column of ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm), diode array detector with detection wavelength at 530 nm, column temperature at 40 ℃, mobile phase with acetonitrile and0.02 mol/Lammonium acetate solution (acetic acid to adjust pH 6.25), gradient elution including acetonitrile 0 min-5%, 2 min-25%, 3 min-45%,6 min-70%, 6.5 min-5% and 8 min-5%, flow rate at0.3 mL/min, and with injection volume of 5 μL. The pH of samples was adjusted to 7.00 by ammonia. Then 5% acetonitrile aqueous solution was used to extract with ultrasonic for 30 min. After filtration by0.20 μmfilter membrane, it was directly measured by UPLC.Results:The correlation coefficient of erythrosine standard curve was greater than 0.999. The spiked recoveries ranged from 92% to 109%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 3.2%. The limit of detection (LOD) was0.01 mg/Land the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.03 mg/L.Conclusion:The method was suitable for accurate and rapid determination of erythrosine in a large number of beverages.