What is Food Sensitivity Testing? How is Food Sensitivity Testing Done?

What is food sensitivity testing?

Food sensitivity testing is looking for delayed, non life threatening reactions to a food. These foods may cause symptoms such as flaring of eczema, eosinophilic esophagititis, bloating, stomach upset etc.

How does food sensitivity testing work?

At Monarch Medical, we perform patch testing for foods to evaluate for food sensitivities. This test involves applying pureed foods and food preservatives on the skin in small amounts and leaving these products on the skin for 48 hours. After this time, the patches are removed and the site is evaluated for redness and rash. If inflammation occurs at the site, you are considered sensitive to this food and this food may be causing similar inflammation when ingested as part of your diet.

What is IgG sensitivity testing?

Some companies offer IgG food sensitivity testing, but it’s important to know that IgG antibodies are a normal part of the immune system. According to the Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, high IgG levels may actually show that your body tolerates a food well, not that you’re sensitive to it. Therefore, we do not recommend modifying your diet based on IgG test results.

How accurate is food sensitivity testing?

Atopy patch testing for foods and food preservatives was first performed in 1990s in Europe and in the early 2000 in the United States (American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, 2025). For patch testing, the food purees that are used on the test are not commercially available. Therefore, studies have shown some variability between testing results from one office to another. However, the food preservatives are standardized and are purchased from a commercial manufacturer. 

References

Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (2025). “The Myth of IgG Food Panel Testing”. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/igg-food-test

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders. (2025). https://apfed.org