What's the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Answer:

A food allergy occurs when an overactive immune system produces a response against specific foods that are otherwise harmless e.g. egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and seafood. Food allergy is mainly a problem of infants, toddlers and young children. Fortunately most grow out of their food allergies before school age. In adult life about 1% of people have a food allergy.

Food intolerance occurs when individuals react adversely to some of the naturally occurring chemicals in food and to common food additives such as the preservatives, artificial colours and flavourings. Reactions are dose dependent and different people will tolerate different amounts of any given chemical.

Both food allergies and intolerance can lead to people eliminating a number of important foods from their diet. It is essential that food allergy or intolerance be properly diagnosed and that an Accredited Practising Dietitian is consulted in order to develop an appropriate diet that meets the nutritional needs of the individual.