Category: H
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Heat of combustion
Energy released by complete combustion, as for example, in the bomb calorimeter. Values can be used to predict energy physiologically available from foods only if an allowance is made for material not completely oxidised in the body. The heat produced when a food substance is oxidized in a bomb calorimeter.
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Health foods
Substances the consumption of which is advocated by various reform movements, including vegetable foods, whole grain cereals, food processed without chemical additives, food grown on organic compost, supplements such as bees’ royal jelly, lecithin, seaweed, etc., and pills and potions. Numerous health claims are made but rarely is there evidence to support these claims. A…
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Hazard analysis critical control process (HACCP)
The identification of critical process points that must be controlled to produce safe foods. A relatively new term adopted in the early 1970’s. It is a systematic approach to hazard identification, assessment and control. HACCP programs identify the potential hazards which may be associated with a food from growth, through harvesting, processing, storing and distributing…
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Harvard standard
Tables of height and weight for age used as reference values for the assessment of growth and nutritional status in children, based on data collected in the USA in the 1930s. Now largely replaced by the NCHS (US National Center for Health Statistics) standards.
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Haram
Food forbidden by Islamic law (opposite ofhalal).
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Haplotype
Collection of single nucleotide polymorphs (SNPs) which are inherited as a group. The combination of several alleles in a gene cluster.
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Halophiles (halophilic bacteria)
Bacteria and other microorganisms able to grow in high concentrations of salt. Descriptive of microorganisms that will grow only if a very high salt concentration is present; salt loving. Those able to withstand the osmotic pressure of very high levels of salt, sugar etc., and as such a hazard of food processing.
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Halal
Food conforming to the Islamic (Muslim) dietary laws. Meat from permitted animals (in general grazing animals with cloven hooves, and thus excluding pig meat) and birds (excluding birds of prey). The animals are killed under religious supervision by cutting the throat to allow removal of all blood from the carcass, without prior stunning. Food that…
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Haemosiderin
An iron storage protein.
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Haemorrhoids (or piles)
Varicosity in the lower rectum or anus due to congestion of the veins; caused or exacerbated by a low-fibre diet and consequent straining to defecate. Painful and swollen anal veins. Haemorrhoids are swollen veins located in the lining of the anus. They can occur near the anal opening, known as external haemorrhoids, or further up…