Further Information

Many people who think they are allergic to a food may actually be intolerant to it. Some of the symptoms of food intolerance and food allergy are similar. However, the fundamental difference is that:

• Food allergy is caused by the immune system and can be life threatening in some cases e.g. peanut allergy.
• Food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is not life threatening e.g. lactose intolerance. Please note allergy tests will not detect food intolerance.

Hand Outs

• British Dietetics Association Food Allergy and Intolerances Factsheet
• British Dietetics Association Food Allergy and Intolerance Testing Factsheet
• British Dietetics Association Coping With Food Allergies Factsheet
• British Dietetics Association Wheat Free Diet Factsheet
• British Dietetics Association Dairy Allergy Factsheet

Links

• Allergy UK
• Allergy UK – About Allergy
• Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Testing