Terminology

Adverse food reactions can be divided into two categories based on their etiology: immunological and non-immuno- logical reactions (Figure 9.1).^1,2 Food allergy implies an im­munological reaction following food intake. In contrast, food intolerance denotes non-immunological reactions to a food or food additive. Food idiosyncrasy, food toxicity, food poisoning, anaphylactic, pharmacological, and metabolic food reactions are all forms of food intolerance, which can be encountered clinically (Table 9.1). In a practical sense, food allergy and food intolerance may be associated with similar inciting food ingre­dients, clinical signs, diagnostic findings, and treatments, and may not be easily distinguishable.

9.1.3