Michigan Food Safety Management Practice Test

What is a food allergen?

1. A substance that enhances flavor

2. A substance in food that causes allergic reactions

3. A type of microbe used in food preparation

4. A secondary ingredient for taste

The correct answer is: A substance in food that causes allergic reactions

A food allergen is defined as a substance in food that causes allergic reactions in some individuals. This means that when a person who is sensitive to a particular food allergen consumes it, their immune system mistakenly identifies it as a harmful substance, leading to various symptoms that can range from mild, such as hives or digestive issues, to severe, such as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Understanding food allergens is crucial for food safety management because certain ingredients, like nuts, shellfish, wheat, and dairy, can trigger these allergic reactions. Therefore, proper labeling and awareness in food preparation are necessary to protect individuals with food allergies. The other options relate to different aspects of food but do not accurately describe food allergens. For instance, enhancing flavor or being a secondary ingredient for taste does not involve an immune response, and microbes used in food preparation do not pertain to allergenic substances.