For times when you are unsure about what’s in your food, Allergen Alert has launched a portable device that can help. Unveiled at CES, the company’s mini lab tests meals for allergens in minutes so you can stay on top of things that can potentially harm you.
Food allergies can be quite dangerous for people with sensitivities. Whether it is gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, or a nut allergy, one wrong ingredient in your dish can put you in the emergency room.
Allergen Alert’s mini lab device looks like a mass-market paperback and can quickly test your food for any potential allergens before you start eating. Mini lab is a battery-operated contraption that “automates and miniaturizes every step of a professional analytical test.”
While the demo version at CES is not yet market-ready, the final product will use a small scoop of food in a single-use pouch to test for gluten and other popular allergens like lactose and nuts, and provide near-instant results. The device is compact enough to fit inside a bag or backpack.
If you are someone suffering from food allergies or celiac disease, the mini lab will allow you to self-screen the meals instead of just trusting restaurants to keep triggering agents off of your plates. This will lessen the risk of a potentially fatal accidental exposure.
Allergen Alert CEO and founder Bénédicte Astier understands the risks associated with food allergies. Her own daughter recovered from anaphylaxis triggered by a dairy allergy, prompting her to find a better solution.
I experienced what too many families know all too well: the fear that life can change because of a single meal. I realized we needed an extra safety belt, a way to test food anywhere, at any moment – Bénédicte Astier.
Allergen Alert is aiming for a Q2 2026 launch for the mini lab. The estimated price tag for the nifty device will be around $200. Its testing pouches will be supplied in packs of five to seven, as part of a monthly subscription.
Although it may seem somewhat reckless to put your faith in a device that promises lab-like results in a non-lab setup, if accurate, Allergen Alert’s mini lab could be a lifesaver. How the technology of this device pans out in real-life scenarios, only time will tell.
Via: CNET
