What is a food allergy?

A food allergy occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food as a threat, triggering an immune response. This can lead to various symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, and may include hives, swelling, digestive issues, or even anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction. Each time a person with a food allergy consumes that food, their body reacts as if it is under attack, prompting the need for careful management and avoidance of the allergenic food.

The other options do not accurately define a food allergy. An aversion to a food that someone does not like relates to personal preference rather than an immune response. A curable condition that can be treated over the counter suggests that food allergies can be easily resolved or managed by simple medications, which is misleading because managing food allergies often requires strict avoidance of the allergenic food and, in some cases, emergency measures like carrying an epinephrine auto-injector. Lastly, an avoidance of a certain color of food does not align with the biological process involved in allergies and instead represents a misconception about food preferences or dietary choices.