Food intolerance test worries health authorities

The Health Department said people should consult their doctor if they suspected they were suffering from some form of food intolerance.

It said yesterday it was concerned about a computer-generated test being performed in the private sector to show whether a person was intolerant of certain foods.

"Operators of this test are making a diagnosis of multiple food intolerances and advising exclusion diets, which may be detrimental to health, especially in growing children," it warned.

When these people were subsequently investigated at St Luke's Hospital, the diagnosis was not confirmed by medical specialists.

"Moreover, a number of clients are being kept on a restrictive diet without any medical indication. These computer-generated tests are not scientifically accurate and no reliable medical literature on their use is available," it said.