A particulate water absorbing agent includes a polyacrylic acid (salt) water absorbent resin as a main component, wherein the water absorbent resin includes alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt), and the absorbing agent satisfies a specific particle size distribution and a specific water absorbing performance, thereby solving the conventional problems. Further, a production method of the water absorbing agent is characterized in that alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid (salt) is added to (a) a monomer aqueous solution whose main component is acrylic acid (salt) and which is being cross-linked and polymerized or (b) a hydrogel polymer after the polymerization. As a result, in the particulate water absorbing agent containing the water absorbent resin as a main component, it is possible to realize both excellent water absorbing performance and excellent coloring prevention effect. Further, it is possible to provide an absorbing article particulate water absorbing agent which is suitable for practical use.