A new portable test could change the way people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity manage their diets. The device, called LEO, uses a simple strip test paired with a smartphone app to detect gluten in food within minutes. Unlike standard lab tests, which can take hours, LEO delivers results in under three minutes with more than 98% accuracy.
The test works by detecting gliadin, the part of gluten that triggers immune reactions. It can spot levels as low as 5 to 10 parts per million, far below the FDA’s 20 ppm limit for gluten-free labels. In real-world trials, LEO uncovered hidden gluten in restaurant dishes like fries and salads, often missed due to cross-contamination. Its results closely matched gold-standard lab tests but at a fraction of the time and cost.
Beyond quick results, LEO connects to a smartphone app that lets users upload and share findings, creating crowdsourced “safe dining maps.” At less than $10 per test, experts say it could be a practical tool not only for patients and doctors but also for regulators. In the future, the technology could expand to detect other food allergens, making dining out safer and more accessible.
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