What is the difference between food intolerance and food allergy?

Food intolerance and food allergy both cause reactions to food, but they involve different mechanisms and symptoms. Food intolerance generally involves digestive issues and is not life-threatening, typically resulting from an inability to properly break down food (such as lactose intolerance). Food allergies, on the other hand, involve the immune system and can be life-threatening, causing symptoms like hives, swelling, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.