The present invention is directed to a method for purifying pyruvic acid compounds, which method comprises reacting a pyruvic acid compound of general formula (I): wherein R1 is an optionally substituted lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a lower alkynyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group, and R2 is a lower alkyl group, with a bisulfite of general formula (II): MHSO3  (II) wherein M is NH4 or an alkali metal, to give a bisulfite adduct of the pyruvic acid compound and then decomposing the adduct with an acid. According to the present invention, pyruvic acid compounds can be purified by simple and easy procedures without using purification techniques such as distillation or column chromatography, and the above method is advantageous as a process for the production on an industrial scale.