HSC Food Technology Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Prep

Coeliac disease specifically refers to an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. When individuals with coeliac disease consume gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye, their immune system responds by attacking the lining of the intestine. This can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, as well as nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption.

While gluten sensitivity (or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) can cause discomfort, it's distinct from coeliac disease because it doesn't involve the same autoimmune response or intestinal damage. Lactose intolerance pertains to the inability to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk, and is unrelated to gluten. A peanut allergy involves a reaction to proteins found in peanuts and is also not connected to gluten. Thus, coeliac disease is the only condition among the options provided that is specifically an allergy to gluten and entails significant health implications.