More than 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies caused by some of the more popular foods, including peanuts, wheat, eggs, milk, and soy. While most allergic reactions are mild, others may experience more severe reactions, which can lead to swollen throats, difficulty in breathing, and even death.
Nima Peanut Sensor Can Detect Peanuts In Food
Nima, a startup based in San Francisco, California, has created a food sensor that can help detect peanuts in food, bringing a peace of mind to those who suffer from peanut allergens.
Called Nima Peanut Sensor, the device allows people to check if their food is peanut-free at restaurants, on packaged foods, at catered events, and even while traveling.
Going out to restaurants can also be a risk for people with peanut allergies. Having a tool such as the Nima Peanut Sensor can help remove some of the stress that comes with eating meals that are prepared by someone else.
How To Use Nima Peanut Sensor
To get started, add a small chunk of food into the Nima peanut test capsule, insert the test capsule into the sensor and press start. After a few minutes, if the sensor finds peanut in the food, it will show a peanut icon. If the device did not detect any peanut in the food test, it will show a smiley face.
Some bakeries and restaurants prepare peanut-free dishes; however, if they make other foods that contain peanuts, there's a big chance of cross-contamination. This can happen even if a trace of food on a spoon is invisible as it can still cause an allergic reaction, according to Food Allergy Research.
The company says the device can detect peanut proteins to 20 parts per million at a 99 percent accuracy.
Download The Nima Mobile App For iOS And Android
The Nima mobile app for iOS and Android lets users connect with other members of their community, in addition to adding test results and reviews to its database. Community members can also rate restaurants and packaged foods based on their test results and accommodation of dietary needs, says the company.
Preorder Nima Peanut Sensor
Nima's Peanut Sensor is available to preorder and will ship later this year. Until March 2018, the Nima Peanut Starter Kit costs $229 in the United States and Canada. The company is offering $60 off, which includes the sensor, a 12-pack of testing capsules, a charging cable, and a pouch to carry the life-saving device.
