The disclosure relates to a method for producing anionic saccharides by reacting saccharide with a compound having a conjugated electron withdrawing group via oxa-Michael addition reaction for producing a derivatized saccharide followed by anionizing the derivatized saccharide. The disclosure further relates to anionic saccharides and to use of the anionic saccharides, for example, as flocculants in waste water treatment, as an agent on enhanced oil recovery and as an agent in paper industry.