The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a surface-reacted calcium carbonate, wherein the treatment agent is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and/or salts thereof, gallic acid and/or salts thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and/or salts thereof, elemental iron, iron (II)-salts, iron (II)-comprising oxides, iron (II, III)-comprising oxides and mixtures thereof, a treated surface-reacted calcium carbonate as well as a use of the treated surface-reacted calcium carbonate as oxygen scavenger.