Allergy Info - Definitions

What are Allergies and Food Intolerances?

Food Intolerance is a general term used to describe a range of reproducible adverse responses to food, including

• allergic reactions that involve the immune system (e.g. peanut allergy),
• adverse reactions resulting from enzyme deficiencies (e.g. lactose intolerance),
• pharmacological reactions (e.g. caffeine sensitivity) and others.

Food Allergy is a form of food intolerance that prompts an immune response, as a result of the body not recognising the food protein as safe. Allergic reactions to the foods vary in severity and in some cases can be potentially fatal e.g. such as some proteins in peanuts.

Symptoms

Food intolerance reactions vary considerably in the severity of the associated symptoms and the length of time for which they persist.

Food allergy reactions tend to occur within 1 hour of exposure. Peanut allergy is often a life-long affliction and can cause severe, life-threatening, anaphylactic reactions to tiny amounts of peanut protein.

In contrast with food allergy symptoms, food intolerance symptoms are mild i.e. headache and localised swelling. These symptoms can come on between 6 – 72 hours.

The Culprits

Just eight foods account for approximately 90 percent of allergies/intolerances. These include:

• nuts
• yeast
• fish
• shellfish
• eggs
• milk
• soy
• wheat