This portable device can detect if there’s gluten in your food
Anyone with food sensitivities knows that eating out can be stressful. Having to alert the waiter of your allergy, hoping the message makes its way back to the kitchen and the unshakable fear that despite your best efforts, you may still get sick. But now there’s something that may help put your mind at ease.
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Nima is a portable device created by San Francisco-based startup 6SensorLabs that can test the gluten content in food within minutes.
“A lot of people who have food issues get very stressed when they’re eating out, and they avoid eating out altogether,” Scott Sundvor, co-founder of 6SensorLabs tells Live Science. “Our product will really enable them to start going out again and start being more open in social settings."
According to Nima this salad is not gluten-free. (Instagram/nimasensor)
So here’s how it works.
The device comes with a set of disposable test capsules where you can test food for its gluten content. Before you eat, take a small sample – liquids and solids work – and insert into the device and wait two minutes.
Inside the device is a sensor that detects the presence of gluten. If there is less than 20 parts per million, the screen will show a happy face meaning it’s safe to eat. If the sample contains more than 20 parts per million, a sad face will appear suggesting you should avoid eating the food.
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If you’re concerned with how accurate the sensor is, the company offers access to a free webinar with their lead scientist that goes into extreme detail regarding the science of the device.
While you’ll still face the issue of alerting your waiter of your sensitivities and hoping the message gets back to this kitchen, at least with this, you’ll be able to test your food before you eat it to avoid an upset stomach.
Do you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity? Would you consider using a device like this when you eat out? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.
