Intolerance tests 'play on fears'

Some companies are playing on people's food fears to sell expensive intolerance tests with highly inconsistent results, according to a Which? study.

The consumer watchdog said the tests could potentially risk the health of users.

Which? researchers trialled a range of tests that claimed to diagnose food intolerances from blood samples, strands of hair, changes in a person's electromagnetic field and resistance to pressure applied to legs or arms, or kinesiology.

The tests diagnosed a total of 183 intolerances, even though the researchers had just one medically confirmed allergy and one food intolerance between them.

The study also produced different test results from identical blood and hair samples sent under different names to the same company, and there was little or no overlap of test results from different companies.

The tests recommended excluding up to 39 foods, which could make it difficult to eat a balanced diet and lead to nutritional problems, Which? said.

A panel of medical specialists and a dietician concluded that none of the tests, which cost between £45 and £275 each, were valuable for diagnosing genuine allergies or intolerances.

Which? magazine editor Neil Fowler said: "A severe allergy can be life-threatening so it's no surprise that people want to find out if they should avoid certain foods. But some companies are playing on these fears to sell expensive intolerance tests that are not medically proven.

"Our tests have shown them to be unreliable. They could even endanger your health as following their recommendations could lead to nutritional deficiencies."

Which? advised anyone concerned that they could have an allergy or intolerance to keep a food diary and a record of their symptoms and to speak to their GP.

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