Eighteen workers a year in the UK contract asthma from being exposed to flour in bakeries, the British government said.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said figures from the Surveillance of World Related Occupational Respiratory Disease scheme showed that between 2007 and 2009, an estimated 18 cases of occupational asthma were reported by “bakers and flour confectioners”.

He said: “Statistics for the occupational group... reflect the role of flour dust as a cause of occupational asthma.”

He revealed the true figure could be 180 a year higher because of under-reporting.

Mr Grayling added: “Other statistical sources suggest the overall incidence of occupational asthma may be as much as tenfold higher than estimated.”