Abstract: Water-soluble iron-carbohydrate derivative complex obtainable from an aqueous iron(III) salt solution and an aqueous solution of the product of the oxidation and subsequent derivatisation of one or more maltodextrins with an aqueous hypochlorite solution at an alkaline pH value, wherein when one maltodextrin is used its dextrose equivalent is from 5 to 20 and when a mixture of a plurality of maltodextrins is used the dextrose equivalent of the mixture is from 5 to 20 and the dextrose equivalent of each individual maltodextrin in the mixture is from 2 to 40, and the subsequent derivatisation is carried out with a suitable reagent, process for the preparation thereof, and medicament for the treatment and prophylaxis of iron deficiency states.