A process for the preparation of highly pure 1-(mercaptomethyl)-cyclopropaneacetic acid is described. Treatment of 1-(hydroxymethyl)-cyclopropaneacetonitrile with an acid provides the corresponding imino ester and/or halo-amide, which when reacted with thiourea provides the corresponding amide-isothiuronium salt. Hydrolysis of the amide-isothiuronium salt followed by an in situ oxidation allows the facile isolation and purification of 1-[1-(carboxymethyl)-cyclopropanemethyldisulfanylmethyl]-cyclopropaneacetic acid (also known as 1-(mercaptomethyl)-cyclopropaneacetic acid disulfide). Reduction of the 1-(mercaptomethyl)-cyclopropaneacetic acid disulfide under mild conditions provides the 1-(mercaptomethyl)-cyclopropaneacetic acid with high purity.