Sensitive to Gluten? This Mini Device Can Detect It in Your Food

If you’re one of the 3 million people in the US who have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition triggered by eating gluten, then you know how crucial it is to stay away from the protein that can be found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. However, when you’re eating out at a restaurant or traveling, it can be difficult to ensure that your meal is gluten-free — until now. 

On Monday, National Gluten-Free Day, the NIMA Gluten Sensor was relaunched. Unlike Allergen Alert, a similar device that also detects dairy, it is now available for purchase. 

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

The 10ppm level measurement is significant because, according to the Food and Drug Administration, products labeled as “gluten-free” can still contain gluten at levels up to 20ppm. That means NIMA can detect beyond that threshold. According to the National Celiac Association, while 20ppm is considered safe for individuals with celiac disease, lower ppm levels are preferred for foods like baked goods and pizza, which people may 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 as a mini automated lab. You place a food sample into 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 internal test strip’s results and displays them as either a smiley face (indicating that the food contains no gluten) or a wheat symbol (indicating that gluten is present). This process only takes 2 to 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, along with restaurants and foods that triggered a reaction, and this information can be shared through a community database so others remain informed.

“People with celiac deserve meals that feel safe, not stressful,” 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, the founder and managing partner of RA Capital Management, and a parent of a child with celiac disease, stepped in to help bring NIMA back to people with celiac disease, for which a gluten-free diet is the only treatment.

How much does it cost?

The NIMA Gluten Sensor retails for $220. The single-use capsules, where 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 representative for the brand, NIMA was originally designed to detect peanuts. Although it currently only recognizes gluten, work is underway to expand the device’s capabilities and test for other food allergens.