T07007: A clinical trial to investigate potential allergic reactions from the ingestion of storage mites

Study Duration: October 1997 to April 2000

Contractor: Withington Hospital, Southampton

Occupational allergy in workers involved in grain handling and associated industries is often caused by storage mite allergens. More recently non-occupational sensitisation to storage mites has been reported via ingestion of mites in flour and other foodstuffs containing flour.

Sensitisation of this type can cause severe anaphylactic responses in individuals and may explain some cases of unknown food allergy. This needs investigation.

This three-year project aims to assess the level of non-occupational allergy to four common storage mites in a large population of people with a family history of allergy. The study will also examine the cross-reactivity between storage mites and house dust mites. Another aim of this study is to determine whether consumption of high levels of storage mites influences the subsequent development of allergy to storage mites.

The results showed that between 9.2 to 17.3% of individuals were sensitised to specific storage mites. Allergy to storage mites was not considered to be due to cross-reactivity between storage and house dust mites, although it was acknowledged that this might occur. The researchers concluded that the current level of contamination of UK foods with storage mites did not pose a high risk of triggering severe allergic reactions.

The final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency (tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email: library&info@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk)

Contact: For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or email food.allergy@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk