Abstract: A shelf-stable intermediate moisture food with a water content of about 15 to 50% and with water soluble solutes in an amount to provide bacteriostasis is protected against the infestation and reproduction of mites by incorporation of a material selected from the group consisting of fatty acids containing carbon atoms from C.sub.4 to C.sub.10, fatty acid amides containing carbon atoms from C.sub.3 to C.sub.10, fatty acid esters containing carbon atoms from C.sub.3 to C.sub.10, fatty acid salts containing carbon atoms from C.sub.3 to C.sub.10, propionic acid and mixtures thereof with the propionic acid being employed only in conjunction with the fatty acid, amide, ester or salt.