What is defined as a negative reaction of a person's immune system to certain foods?

The term that defines a negative reaction of a person's immune system to certain foods is food allergy. This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat and mounts an immune response against it. This can lead to symptoms that may range from mild to severe, including hives, swelling, digestive issues, and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for food safety management in environments like Starbucks, where food allergies must be taken seriously to protect customers. Proper training ensures that staff can identify and manage food allergy risks effectively, such as through accurate labeling and staff awareness of cross-contamination prevention.

In contrast, food intolerance refers to digestive issues that occur when a person has difficulty digesting certain foods, and it does not involve the immune system in the same way. Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food that can lead to illness but is not specifically an immune reaction. Food sensitivity can describe a range of non-allergic reactions to food but is often less severe and does not involve the immune system's response. Understanding these differences is essential in the context of food safety and customer health.