A purified chitin has a total content of fatty acids and salts thereof not higher than 0.2 wt. % in terms of fatty acids. The purified chitin can be produced by washing a chitin with at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of organic solvent and water-containing organic solvents such that a total content of fatty acids and salts thereof is lowered at least to 0.2 wt. % in terms of fatty acids.