The invention relates to a process for producing a protected reduced supported metal catalyst powder, in particular catalysts used in a variety of chemical reactions, such as the hydrogenation of hydrocarbon compounds in petrochemical and oleo-chemical processes; the hydrogenation of unsaturated fats and oils, and unsaturated hydrocarbon resins; and in the Fischer Tropsch process. This invention also relates to a composition comprising said catalyst and a liquid. In accordance with the invention there is provided a process for preparing a protected, reduced metal catalyst on a support, wherein said supported catalyst is in the form of a powder, which process comprises contacting and mixing said supported catalyst with a liquid in an inert atmosphere and wherein the amount of liquid corresponds to up to five times the amount required for incipient wetness.