Question

Foods which are specially processed or formulated to satisfy a particular dietary requirement which exists due to a disease or disorder are known as __________

• A. Healthy foods
• B. Nutraceuticals
• C. Balanced foods
• D. Special foods

Hint:

In food regulation, specific definitions are key. Foods for a general healthy population are different from those designed to manage a medical condition. The latter are "special" because they cater to non-standard dietary needs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the correct term for foods designed to manage specific health conditions or diseases. This falls under a specific category in food regulation and science.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- The definition provided in the question—"specially processed or formulated to satisfy a particular dietary requirement which exists due to a disease or disorder"—directly corresponds to the regulatory category known as Foods for Special Dietary Use (FSDU) or Medical Foods.
- Examples include gluten-free products for celiac disease, lactose-free milk for lactose intolerance, or formulations for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Let's analyze the options: - Healthy foods and Balanced foods are general, non-specific terms. - Nutraceuticals are typically products derived from food sources with extra health benefits, often sold in medicinal forms (e.g., capsules of fish oil). While related, the term FSDU is more specific to whole food formulations for disease management. - Special foods is the best available option, serving as a simplified term for the official category of "Foods for Special Dietary Use".
Step 4: Final Answer:
The most appropriate term among the choices for foods formulated to manage a disease or disorder is "Special foods," as a proxy for Foods for Special Dietary Use. Therefore, option (D) is correct.