Final answer:
d. allergen. Food intolerance is the term that describes an abnormal response to a food or additive. It happens when the digestive system is unable to break down a certain type of food, resulting in various symptoms. It is different from a food allergy, which is an immune system reaction to a harmless protein.
Step-by-step explanation:
An abnormal response to a food or additive is described as food intolerance. Food intolerance occurs when the digestive system is unable to break down a certain type of food, resulting in symptoms like stomach cramping, diarrhea, tiredness, and weight loss. It is different from a food allergy, which is an immune system reaction to a harmless protein. For example, lactose intolerance is a common food intolerance where the body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose, the milk sugar. This intolerance can cause digestive issues and is often mistaken for a food allergy.
An allergen refers to a substance, typically a protein, that induces an allergic reaction in some individuals. An abnormal response to a food or additive is often characterized by an allergy, which is an immune system response to a specific allergen. Food intolerance (option a) is different from a food allergy, as it does not involve the immune system but rather an inability to digest or process certain foods. Critical control point (option b) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, option c) are concepts related to food safety management systems rather than specific abnormal responses to food.