From a reaction mixture obtained by reaction of sucrose and a fatty acid alkyl ester in the presence of a catalyst, a purified sucrose fatty acid ester is prepared without using organic solvents for purification by adding water to the reaction mixture and subjecting the resulting aqueous solution to ultrafiltration, thereby removing the unreacted sucrose, the catalyst or a salt derived from the catalyst, and the volatile component used as the reaction medium together with water. A powder of the purified sucrose fatty acid ester is easily, economically and safely prepared by subjecting the aqueous solution remaining in the ultrafiltration to reverse osmosis and spray-drying the resulting concentrate.