The present invention generally relates to iron (III) carbohydrate complexes and to processes for the manufacture thereof. The product obtainable according to the method of the present invention may be safely used to the general population or animals in the therapy of iron deficiency. The process of the invention includes the steps of (i) providing an aqueous solution of glucose syrup having a certain dextrose equivalent (DE), (ii) adding one or more oxidizing bleaching agents, thereby obtaining the activated glucose syrup； (iii) converting said activated glucose syrup into a complex with iron (III) hydroxide； and (iv) obtaining a complex of iron (III) hydroxide and activated glucose syrup.
