The present invention aims to provide methods for producing brown algae or brown algal extracts of reduced iodine content while retaining the structures of pigment components in the brown algae.Provided is a method for producing a brown alga of reduced iodine content while retaining a pigment component in the brown alga, which method comprises shredding an untreated brown algal starting material and thereafter performing a heating treatment with hot water at 90-100° C. for 90-300 seconds. Also provided is a method for producing a brown alga of reduced iodine content while retaining a pigment component in the brown alga, wherein the brown alga obtained in the above-mentioned process is subjected to extraction using hydrous ethanol at a concentration of 60-100%.
