The body's negative reaction to a food protein

• A. Cross-Contact
• B. Food Allergy
• C. Contamination
• D. Cleaning

Answer: (B)

The body's negative reaction to a food protein describes a food allergy. In an allergic reaction, the immune system misidentifies a harmless food protein as a threat and releases chemicals that can cause symptoms ranging from hives and swelling to stomach pain and, in severe cases, trouble breathing or anaphylaxis. This focuses on the immune response to a specific protein in food.

Cross-contact is about transferring an allergen from one food to another, which can trigger reactions if consumed, but it’s about how contamination happens, not the immune reaction itself. Contamination refers to the presence of unwanted substances in food, not specifically an immune response. Cleaning is the process used to remove residues and prevent contamination or cross-contact.