The present invention relates to a process for producing a low endotoxin alkali chitosan, chitin, chitosan derivative or chitin derivative, and also to a process for producing low endotoxin neutral chitosan, chitosan salt and chitosan derivatives, and to the products of such processes. The process comprises contacting chitosan, chitin, chitosan derivative or chitin derivative with an alkali solution to form a mixture; leaving the mixture for a period of less than 1 hour and optionally drying the mixture. The low endotoxin alkali chitosan may be used in the manufacture of other useful chitosan based products.