SensoGenic: Finding Food Allergens in the Palm of Your Hand

Food allergies affect over 250 million people in the world — with about 8% of children and 4% of adults suffering. In the United States, anaphylactic shock triggered by a food based allergy occurs every six minutes. This allergy can cause eating at restaurants and other homes to be difficult, and can cause missed opportunities for the fear of eating something that could be contaminated by the food a person is allergic to. One parent, who wanted the best for their son, is trying to find a way to help their child by ensuring they are safe no matter where they eat.

When Alan Yasovsky’s son, Noam, was one they found out he was allergic to eggs, sesame and milk. Because of this, Alan has to make sure they take food Noam can eat wherever they go and have to comb through dishes ingredients to make sure his son is not at risk.

Since finding out about his son's allergy, Yasovky has been trying to put his experience to use and find a solution to help people find food allergens in meals.

“I have 15 years of experience in R&D at Apple, Intel and PrimeSense, so I started to think of how to build a sensor that lets you test food for allergens before you eat — anywhere, anytime,”

Yasovky created the startup known as SensoGenic, which is developing a handheld digital food allergen biosensor that can be taken anywhere.

To use the device, one places a small food sample onto the disposable pad. The device uses patented nanotechnology to detect food allergen proteins at 10 ppm (parts per million) and can detect common allergens like milk, egg, fish, tree nuts, soy, shellfish, peanuts, and wheat. Once the sample has been run, users will receive results on a dedicated smartphone app.

“The app will also enable users to share their experiences at a restaurant or give a recommendation to a network of food-allergy sufferers who use our device.”

Recently, Yasovky, with assistance from his now 15-year-old son, demonstrated a prototype of the device-engineered by the Israeli firm known as Taga-at the 18th annual MIXiii-Biomed Conference and Exhibition in Tel Aviv.

​Since March 2018, SensoGenic has been gathering beta testers, especially families with small children. SensoGenic is planning to have a full working project by 2022, and are planning on selling the device online with a price around $199 and the disposable testing pads for 95 cents a piece.

Click here to read a more in-depth report about SensoGenic and their revolutionary device.