What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance. People often use the word allergy to explain both.

An allergic reaction happens because your body uses its immune system to "fight against" certain components of the food. Your immune system is designed to do this to fight against disease, however an allergic reaction happens when the body incorrectly “fights” against certain components in foods (specifically against certain proteins and polysaccharides).

A food intolerance on the other hand, does not involve the immune system. Food intolerances occur either because
a) an individual is unable to break down the food properly (due to the lack of specific enzymes in the gut), or
b) there is an adverse reaction to certain chemicals in the food (either naturally occurring or added) such as salicylates and amines.

The diagnosis of allergy v’s food intolerance is important, because typically an allergy will be limited to one or two food types, whereas an intolerance can occur across a whole range of different foods, as the offending chemicals can be present in many different foods.

It is possible to be both allergic, and intolerant to a food.

What are the typical symptoms of a food allergy or a food intolerance?

For allergies, symptoms may include swelling of the lips, throat and tongue and vomiting, which can occur soon after ingesting the food. Other symptoms such as rash, hives, runny nose, asthma, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea can manifest within a couple of hours.

For a food intolerance, symptoms can be similar to those experienced by a food allergy such as: rash, hives, and abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Other symptoms include headaches, mouth ulcers, and some people can have more non-specific symptoms such as feeling tired and run down.

How do I know if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

A food, symptom and family history may be enough to diagnose a food allergy if symptoms occur in relation to a specific food. Blood tests (RAST test) or skin prick tests are useful to confirm the allergy diagnosis in difficult cases. If you suspect a food allergy then please see your GP for diagnosis. There are also allergy specialists, including Dietitians that should be involved in the diagnosis and management of your allergy. It is important to know exactly which food is causing your allergy so that you can completely avoid it.

There are no skin or blood tests available to diagnose a food intolerance. To identify these foods a process of elimination is required ie. Elimination diet. Foods are removed from the diet until all symptoms have resolved and then foods are gradually added back into the diet to work out which ones are involved. Again, just as in allergies, it is important to involve your GP, and allergy specialists including Dietitians to ensure the process is followed properly and a nutritious diet is maintained.

How do I manage my diet if I have a food allergy, or food intolerance?

Once correctly diagnosed, managing a food allergy requires the individual to completely avoid that food. It is important to know exactly which food is causing your allergy so that you can completely avoid it.

Managing a food intolerance can be more complicated. Most people have a certain tolerance level to the food chemicals associated with their intolerance, and in general the more of the food chemical that is eaten the more likely there is to be a reaction.

Varying degrees of sensitivity of the individual will dictate how much can be eaten before symptoms occur.

Managing a food intolerance is therefore highly individualised, and can be complicated.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your diet is highly restrictive than please check with a Dietitian to see whether you are meeting your daily requirements for essential nutrients.

What are some common foods people are allergic and intolerant to?

Some of the common foods people are allergic to are:

• Gluten - wheat, rye, oats, barley, triticale, malt
• Wheat
• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts and other nuts
• Fish and shellfish
• Soy
• Sesame

Some foods and chemicals people can be intolerant to are:

• Salicylates
• Amines
• Dairy
• Yeast
• Wheat

When buying products via www.allergease.com.au we have included an allergy filter on the site where you can enter your particular allergy or intolerance, and find only those foods that are suitable for you.

Can my child have "Low Gluten" labeled products if they are Coeliac?

In the past couple of days it has been brought to our attention by a mum of a coeliac child that the Envirokidz cereal range which her child loves, is now labelled "Low Gluten" instead of "Gluten Free". She was concerned about whether her child was still able to have this cereal.

Current Australian/NZ food labeling standards are that for a product to be labeled "Gluten Free" there must be not more than 5ppm of gluten detected and a product labeled "Low Gluten" must not have more that 20ppm of gluten.

We have spoken to the Coeliac Society and they have stated that a "Low Gluten" product is still acceptable for coeliacs as the detectable gluten does not exceed 20ppm which is the level considered internationally to be safe for a gluten free diet.

A copy of the email response from the coeliac society has been reprinted below, with permission.

"We understand that products have been tested in America to contain no detectable gluten at a level of 20ppm. Currently in Australia the level of detection is 5ppm. Since they have not been tested by our more sensitive procedure it is unclear whether they would pass the test at 5ppm. However 20ppm is the figure accepted internationally as being safe for a gluten free diet and is supported by Dr Bob Anderson. Accordingly although labelled low gluten they should not cause any problem."

Allergease hope that this has alleviated any confusion and concerns that have arisen and please do not hesitate to let us know of any other concerns or observations as we are all trying to achieve the same goal -- hassle free and accurate allergy free shopping.

So based on the advice and recommendation of the Coeliac Society, we have reinstated the wonderful and tasty Envirokidz cereal range into our gluten free category and will continue to include all "Low Gluten" labeled products in this category.

Source: Allergease.com.au