What is a chemical sensitivity?

Prepare for the Certificate in Public Health Inspection exam. Utilize our flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ensure your success with our comprehensive resources!

Chemical sensitivity refers to adverse effects that occur when someone is exposed to chemicals in foods or the surrounding environment, whether those chemicals are naturally present or added during processing. This covers reactions to additives like sulfites, artificial colors, or flavorings, as well as naturally occurring compounds that can trigger symptoms. The option that describes an adverse reaction to chemicals in or added to foods matches this idea most closely. The other choices describe different types of reactions: a pollen allergy is an immune reaction to an environmental allergen; lactose intolerance is a non-immune intolerance to dairy; and an immune response to gluten targets gluten itself rather than a chemical in foods.