In a move aimed at reducing the risks associated with food allergies, a French startup called “Allergen Alert” unveiled an innovative handheld device during the Consumer Electronics Show “CES 2026”. This device is characterized by its ability to test gluten and food allergens with accuracy comparable to that found in medical laboratories.
The device works as a portable “mini-lab”, the size of a pocket book, allowing people with food allergies or celiac disease to immediately verify the safety of food, especially in restaurants or while traveling.
The company explained that the device gives decisive “yes” or “no” results in approximately two minutes. This is done by analyzing a small sample of food placed in a single-use bag, then inserted into the device, which automatically extracts and analyzes the proteins. The result appears directly on the device screen or via a smartphone-connected application.
“Benedict Astier,” the founder and CEO of the company, says that the idea for developing the device came after a personal experience, when her daughter suffered a severe allergic shock due to a dairy allergy. She stressed that the need for an immediate way to test food anywhere has become a pressing need for many families.
The device relies on technologies inspired by professional diagnostic systems, as Allergen Alert is a specialized offshoot of the French group “bioMérieux”, a leader in the field of medical diagnostics.
Initially, the device will focus on testing one allergen at a time, currently focusing on gluten, dairy products, and peanuts. The company is currently developing advanced test bags capable of detecting multiple allergens at once.
The device is expected to be launched in the markets in late 2026 at a price of approximately $200, in addition to a monthly subscription that allows users to obtain between five and seven test bags for about $25 per month.
The device targets a wide base of users, including individuals and families, as well as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and airlines, in light of the increasing rates of food allergies worldwide. It is estimated that about 250 million people worldwide suffer from food allergies, with a marked increase in cases of allergies among children in the United States in recent years.
The developers of the device hope that this innovation will contribute to reducing serious allergic accidents, especially since more than 60% of severe reactions occur outside the home, making this mobile solution an important preventive tool in unpredictable environments.
