This Startup Wants to Turn Your Blood Test Into a Food Allergy Diagnosis

Lisa Bos · 2026-09-28

A new startup from Groningen is on a mission to change how we diagnose food allergies. Instead of relying on skin prick tests and guesswork, they want to translate a simple blood draw into a precise diagnostic test. It's a big idea, and it could make life a lot easier for millions of people. ### The Problem with Current Food Allergy Testing If you've ever suspected a food allergy, you know the drill: skin prick tests, elimination diets, and maybe an expensive trip to a specialist. These methods work, but they're not perfect. Skin prick tests can be uncomfortable, and they don't always give a clear answer. Plus, they only test for a handful of allergens at a time. Blood tests exist, but they often measure IgE antibodies, which can be elevated even when you're not truly allergic. That leads to false positives and unnecessary food avoidance. The Groningen startup thinks there's a better way. ### How It Works The startup is developing a blood test that looks beyond IgE. They're analyzing multiple biomarkers to create a more complete picture of your immune response. The goal is to distinguish between a true allergy and a sensitivity, and to predict how severe a reaction might be. They're not just looking at one allergen at a time, either. Their test could screen for dozens of foods simultaneously, giving you a comprehensive report from a single blood sample. That means fewer needles, fewer appointments, and faster answers. ### Why This Matters for You Food allergies affect millions of Americans. According to the CDC, nearly 6% of adults and 8% of children have a food allergy. That's a lot of people living with uncertainty and anxiety around food. A more accurate blood test could: - Reduce the need for risky oral food challenges - Help you avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions - Speed up diagnosis so you can get treatment sooner - Give you peace of mind when eating out or trying new foods ### The Road Ahead The startup is still in the early stages, but they've already secured funding and partnerships with research institutions. They plan to start clinical trials soon. If all goes well, their test could be available in a few years. Of course, there are challenges. Regulatory approval is a long process, and they'll need to prove their test is reliable across diverse populations. But the team is optimistic. > "We believe that everyone deserves a clear answer when it comes to their health," says the startup's founder. "Our goal is to make food allergy diagnosis as simple as a blood draw." ### What This Means for Healthcare Professionals For doctors and dietitians, this technology could be a game-changer. It would provide a more objective tool for diagnosing food allergies, reducing the reliance on patient history and subjective symptoms. It could also help identify patients who are at risk for severe reactions, allowing for better precautionary measures. ### Bottom Line A blood test that accurately diagnoses food allergies would be a huge step forward. It would save time, reduce stress, and improve quality of life for millions. The Groningen startup is still in the early days, but their vision is worth watching. We'll keep you updated as they move toward clinical availability.