When I first heard about the Allergy Amulet, I have to admit I had concerns about it.  I thought the purpose of the amulet was to use it as the sole means to ensure a food is safe. I shared this concern with it’s inventor, Abigail Barnes, at a food allergy event.  Not only was she very open to hearing my thoughts but encouraged me to give her more of my direct and honest feedback.  After our discussion, I began to understand how this device could be useful and why she has devoted so much of her time and energy it to bringing to us, the food allergy community.

What is it?

Basically, Allergy Amulet is a whole line “food testers” in the form of a necklace, bracelet or device that can be attached to an epinephrine auto-injector.  Its purpose is to provide additional information to the consumer about the food they are about to eat.

How does it work?

PHOTO CREDIT: Allergy Amulet

You, as the consumer, would carry test strips for each food you want to test.  You would probe the food you are about to eat in several places and the allergy amulet would be able to detect if your allergen is present in the areas that you probed.

Now does this mean that it is fool proof?  Absolutely not!  Abigail is the first to point out that this technology should not be used as a substitute for other food allergy management skills one already uses.  It is meant to supplement current best practices.

Then how should it be used?

I’m sure there are many instances in which this device would be useful, but I find the following scenario to be especially helpful:

You are at a restaurant.  You have called ahead to ensure they can accommodate people with food allergies.  You have spoken to the waitstaff and the chef.  Your food has been brought out and you’ve been told it has been prepared as requested.  NOW, at this point you would normally eat.  However, with the Allergy Amulet, you now have additional method to ensure your food is safe.   If the test indicates no allergens present, you proceed.  If it comes back positive, then you avoid a reaction.  Win-win.

Does this mean it will help you avoid all allergic reactions?  No, the probe can only detect allergens in the spots you chose to place it.  Therefore, it is possible you could miss an allergen.  However, I do think it will help consumers to avoid some reactions and that fact alone it worth exploring.

Abigail manages life-threatening food allergies herself and this device came about as she was thinking about past reactions and what could help her avoid future reactions.  We know that most reactions occur when someone eats a food they believe is safe.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a tool like this available to be able to check your food?

When will we be able to get it?

Abigail informed me that they are hoping to launch in 2018 with strips that test for peanut.  Then approximately 6 months after they hope to add egg and milk.

Additional thoughts:

• When this becomes available, it will be important that marketing materials reflect the fact that this device should be used in addition to, and not as a substitute for, other common-sense measures.
• I also think it would be helpful to state a recommended age at which this device can be used independently and to make available effective education and training about its use and its limitations.

What I like most about Abigail is her passion for this product and her desire to hear feedback from the food allergy community.  She welcomes questions and feedback through her email abarnes@allergyamulet.com.

***As a footnote, It takes an enormous amount of time, energy and money to bring any product from idea to fruition.  I am very excited about the passionate people that are willing to invest in the food allergy community.  I will be continuing to highlight these pioneers.  I feel so hopeful about the future for those with food allergy.***