Bee CES 2026One of the most promising health tech devices we came across was Allergen Alert, a mini lab that can detect gluten and dairy products in food. The only problem is that it’s not currently for sale. Filling that gap in the market is the NIMA Gluten Sensorwhich was relaunched today, on National Gluten Free Day, and can now be added to your online shopping cart.
This is the second generation of NIMA’s Gluten Sensor, the first wearable device created to detect gluten in food for people with celiac disease. However, this new version is faster and more reliable with an improved sensor and capsules. This was confirmed in third-party testing conducted by allergen testing laboratory BIA Diagnostics, which showed that the device was able to detect all major gluten sources (wheat, barley and rye) down to the 10 ppm level with 99% accuracy.
The 10 ppm level measurement is significant because, according to the Food and Drug Administration, products labeled as “gluten-free” may still contain gluten. levels up to 20 ppm. This means that NIMA can detect beyond that threshold. According to the National Celiac Association, while 20 ppm is considered safe for people with celiac disease, lower ppm levels are preferred for foods such as pastries and pizza, which people can consume in larger quantities.
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How does the NIMA gluten sensor work?
The gluten sensor is based on single-use capsules that function as an automated mini-laboratory. You place a food sample into the capsule and place it in 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 to 3 minutes.
A smiley face indicates that the food sample is gluten-free, while the wheat symbol indicates that gluten is present.
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 stored. There you can record safe food options, along with restaurants and foods that triggered a response, and this information can be shared through a community database to help others stay informed.
“People with celiac disease deserve meals that feel safe and not stressful,” said Mike Glick, CEO of NIMA Partners, in a press release.
A food sample is placed in a capsule, which is placed in the NIMA sensor for testing.
The original NIMA sensor was developed in 2013 by two MIT graduates, but was no longer available due to pandemic-related supply chain issues, making production impossible. In 2025, Peter Kolchinsky, the founder and managing partner of RA Capital Management, and parent of a child with celiac disease, stepped in to bring NIMA back to the market. 3 million people in the US who have celiac disease, for which a gluten-free diet is the only treatment.
How much does it cost?
The NIMA Gluten Sensor retails for $220, but there is currently a 10% discount available with the code NIMAPR10. The single-use capsuleswhere you place the food you want to test are sold separately. For a six-pack, the cost is $72 for a one-time 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 with the hope of expanding the device’s capabilities to test for other food allergens.
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