Food allergy and intolerance products include diabetic food (such as diabetic spreads, diabetic confectionery, and diabetic bakery products), gluten-free food (such as gluten-free ready meals, gluten-free pasta, gluten-free baby food, and gluten-free bakery products), lactose-free food (such as lactose-free baby food, lactose-free ice cream, and lactose-free dairy products), etc. A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. The symptoms may include low blood pressure, trouble breathing, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, swelling of the tongue, itchiness, etc.
Food tolerance is caused due by sugars, gluten, and lactose, and other ingredients which are oppressed by the consumption of lactose-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free products such as fruit ices and sorbets, gelatin desserts without milk or whipped cream, frozen desserts made with soy or rice, le veneziane spaghetti corn gluten-free pasta, etc. Food allergy and intolerance products witnessing significant growth due to the increasing number of food allergies and sensitivities across the world, especially in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies are growing food safety and public health concern that affects an estimated 8% of children in the United States. Moreover, according to American Diabetes Association, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, non-starchy vegetables such as celery, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach can be eaten freely diabetic patients, with little/no limitation.
When the immune system is not involved in the food reaction, it is known as food intolerance. The most common food allergy and intolerance products reported in intolerance testing or food allergy include wheat, soy, shellfish, seafood, eggs, peanuts, cow’s milk, and tree nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, and almonds. Food intolerance can be caused by a variety of factors including the immune system, bacteria, hormones, diet, chemical reaction, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance, which happens when people cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy.