Barley Starch Syrup and Cereal Allergies
It is not known whether the trace amounts of proteins that may remain in cereal-starch derived food ingredients after food processing can trigger allergic symptoms in cereal-allergic individuals. Nermes et al carried out a study to find out if barley starch syrup causes allergic reactions in individuals with allergy to wheat, barley, rye or oats.
The study involved 15 children with cereal allergies. When exposed to cereals, seven of the children (47%) showed immediate type reactions, such as urticaria, rash or anaphylaxis. Eight of the children (53%) showed delayed type reactions, such as deterioration of atopic dermatitis or diarrhoea.
The fifteen children were exposed to barley starch syrup and none of them showed any objective signs of allergy. On skin-prick tests, five of the children (33.3%) showed a positive reaction to at least one of the cereals but none of them to barley starch syrup. The authors conclude that they are 98% confident that at least 90% of individuals with verified cereal allergies will not react with allergic symptoms to barley starch syrup.
Nermes M, Karvonen H, Sarkkinen E, Isolauri E.
Safety of barley starch syrup in patients with allergy to cereals.
Br J Nutr. 2009 Jan;101(2):165-8.