The term food allergy is often misapplied, leading many people
to believe that they are allergic to certain foods. A more
accurate term would be food intolerance for many of these
people. Food allergy symptoms can be caused either by a true
allergic reaction to food or by simple food intolerance to
specific components of a food. Symptoms of adverse reactions to
food range from an upset stomach to life-threatening
anaphylaxis. Identification and avoidance of any foods that
trigger a reaction is the only cure available for food allergy.
What Is a Food Allergy? A food allergy refers to a specific
allergic reaction that involves the immune system, is triggered
by a particular food, and is reproducible. In other words, the
same symptoms—for example, wheezing or rash—must occur each time
the food is eaten. It can also be called a hypersensitivity
reaction as the immune system is very sensitive to the food.
Food intolerance, on the other hand, is an adverse reaction to a
food and does not involve the immune system.