This Wearable Sensor Detects Gluten in Your Food and You Can Buy It Now

HAS CES 2026one of the most promising health tech devices we spotted was Allergen Alert, a mini lab that can detect gluten and dairy in foods. The only problem is that it is currently not available for purchase. Filling this gap in the market is the NIMA Gluten Sensor, which was relaunched today, on National Gluten Free Day, and can be added to your online shopping cart now.

This is the second generation of NIMA’s gluten sensor, the first handheld device created to detect gluten in foods intended for people with celiac disease. However, this new version is faster and more reliable with an improved sensor and capsules. This was confirmed by third-party testing carried out by allergen testing laboratory BIA Diagnostics, which found that the device was capable of detecting all major sources of gluten (wheat, barley and rye) down to the 10 ppm level with 99% accuracy.

Measuring the 10 ppm level is significant because, according to the Food and Drug Administration, products labeled “gluten-free” may still contain gluten at levels up to 20 ppm. This means that NIMA can detect beyond this threshold. According to the National Celiac Association, although 20 ppm is considered safe for people with celiac disease, lower ppm levels are preferred for foods like baked goods and pizza, which people can consume in larger quantities.

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How does the NIMA gluten sensor work?

The gluten sensor relies on single-use capsules that function like a mini automated laboratory. You place a food sample in the capsule and insert it into the device, where it is ground, mixed and tested with NIMA’s proprietary antibodies. Then, an enhanced camera reads the results from the internal test strip and displays them as a smiley face (indicating the food does not contain gluten) or a wheat symbol (you have gluten). This process only takes 2-3 minutes.

NIMA uses USB-C charging, but can perform up to 40 tests per charge. The device also connects to the NIMA Now mobile app, where all test results are saved. There you can record safe food options, as well as restaurants and foods that have triggered a reaction, and this information can be shared through a community database so others stay informed.

“People with celiac disease deserve safe, non-stressful meals,” said Mike Glick, CEO of NIMA Partners, in a press release.

The original NIMA sensor was developed by two MIT graduates in 2013, but it became unavailable due to pandemic-related supply chain issues that made it impossible to manufacture. In 2025, Peter Kolchinsky, founder and managing partner of RA Capital Management, and parent of a child with celiac disease, stepped in to help bring NIMA back to the 3 million people in the United States with celiac disease, for whom a gluten-free diet is the only treatment.

How much does it cost?

The NIMA Gluten Sensor costs $220, but a 10% discount is currently available with code NIMAPRE10. Single-use capsules, in which you place the food you wish to test, are sold separately. For a six-pack, the cost is $72 for a single order or $61 for a subscription.

According to a brand representative, NIMA was originally designed to detect peanuts. Although it currently only recognizes gluten, work is underway in hopes of expanding the device’s capabilities to test for other food allergens.

The information contained in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a health problem or health goals.