Food intolerance

Intolerance is different to food allergy, because it does not involves the immune system. Instead, some cases involve a shortage of enzymes, which makes digesting the problem food difficult. For example, in the case of lactose intolerance there is a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is involved in the digestion of milk. Some intolerance is temporary.

Your baby may develop a short-term intolerance to milk after a tummy bug, for example. Very rarely your baby can experience an intolerance to the chemicals added to foods, such as colourings, flavourings, monosodium, glutamate (MSG), and sulphites. Symptoms can be similar to those of food allergy, and it can be difficult to distinguish between them. If your baby is suffering from any unusual symptoms after eating particular foods, it's important that you take her to see your doctor.