> At a Glance
> – CES 2026 debut of Allergen Alert, a portable tester for gluten and dairy
> – Single-use pouch + handheld device return results in under five minutes
> – Spin-off from 63-year-old diagnostics firm bioMérieux; now trialed by chefs
> – Why it matters: Diners and travelers could swap fear for on-the-spot answers
A device small enough to fit in a jeans pocket may erase the anxiety that shadows every restaurant visit for millions with food allergies. Allergen Alert, unveiled at CES 2026, turns table-side allergen checks into a two-minute routine.
How It Works
Users drop a pea-sized food sample into a disposable pouch, slide the pouch into the matchbox-size reader, and press one button. An internal optical sensor flags trace gluten or dairy; lights glow green for safe, red for stop.
- Speed: Results display in minutes
- Portability: Weighs 65 g, runs on a USB-C charge
- Disposal: Pouch seals for mess-free trashing
From Lab to Kitchen
The unit is the first consumer-facing product from bioMérieux, a French diagnostics heavyweight since 1963. Co-developed with allergists and food-safety scientists, it is now being piloted by professional chefs who screen dishes before they reach diners.
| Stakeholder | Planned Use |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Verify allergen-free meals |
| Hotels | In-room safety checks |
| Schools | Cafeteria spot tests |
| Travel companies | Airline & cruise meal audits |
Consumers can join an early-access list for a promotional demo; retail pricing and launch date have not been announced.
Key Takeaways
- Allergen Alert currently spots gluten and dairy, with peanut, tree-nut, and shellfish modules in development
- Trials with chefs signal confidence from commercial kitchens
- Pocket-size design targets travelers as well as homes
- Early adopters can register on the company site for launch updates
If the promised nut and seafood detection follows, the tiny tester could shift allergy management from vigilant guesswork to on-the-spot certainty.
