The generation of toxic gases from a bleaching composition for silver halide color photographic materials containing a bleaching agent such as a persulfate or an inorganic ferric salt and a water-soluble halide can be prevented by the incorporation therein of a compound represented by the formula [I]:R.sup.1 --X--NH--R.sup.2 [I]wherein X is a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group; R.sup.1 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an acylamino group, or a heterocyclic ring; and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, an acyl group, a carbamoyl group, or a heterocyclic ring; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a 5- or 6-membered ring or a tautomer thereof.