Vivian Marlowe
Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are designed to detect alcohol, but they can sometimes be triggered by other substances. While modern IIDs only detect alcohol, older devices were sensitive to multiple compounds, and certain foods, drinks, and personal care products can cause a positive reading. For example, mouthwash, breath sprays, and certain foods like bread, pastries, and ripe fruit can contain small amounts of alcohol, leading to a false positive result. Other factors such as an individual's metabolism, gender, and environmental conditions can also influence the accuracy of IID tests. It is important for users to be aware of these potential triggers to avoid unexpected complications and maintain compliance with IID requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mouthwash | Contains small amounts of alcohol |
| Breath spray | Contains small amounts of alcohol |
| Diabetics | High levels of acetone in the body |
| Dieters | High levels of acetone in the body |
| Yeast | Produces a tiny amount of alcohol |
| Bread | Produces trace amounts of alcohol as it breaks down |
| Pastry | Produces trace amounts of alcohol as it breaks down |
| Ripe fruit | Produces trace amounts of alcohol as it breaks down |
| Spicy food | Can create methane gas once digested, leading to a positive alcohol reading |
| Fermented drinks | May contain trace alcohol |
| Personal hygiene products | May contain alcohol or other chemicals that can interfere with the breathalyser |
| Smoke or vapour | May cause a violation |
| Hand sanitiser | Contains alcohol |
| Cologne | Contains alcohol |
| Perfume | Contains alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Mouthwash, breath sprays, and other personal hygiene products
It is recommended that you wait at least 10–15 minutes after using these products before taking a breath test. You may also want to rinse your mouth with water first. Alternatively, you can use alcohol-free versions of these products.
Other personal care products and environmental factors can also interfere with your breath test results. For example, certain medications, particularly those in liquid form, may contain alcohol. Cough syrups, liquid cold medicines, and asthma inhaler propellants may include alcohol as a preservative or solvent. It is a good idea to check the labels of any products you are using and consult your doctor or pharmacist about alcohol-free alternatives if necessary.
Foods can also contain alcohol or other compounds that can trigger a positive reading. This may include everyday items such as bread, yogurt, and energy drinks. It is important to be aware of the ingredients in the food and drinks you consume and to wait 10–15 minutes after eating or drinking before taking a breath test.
Ignition interlock devices are designed to be precise and accurate in detecting small levels of alcohol on your breath. They may also have additional features to prevent tampering, such as a camera and the ability to recognize your breath flow rate. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the technician who installs your device and to understand the blow patterns required for your specific device.
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Foods with trace amounts of alcohol, like bread, pastries, and ripe fruit
Ignition interlock devices are designed to be highly accurate and continually precise in detecting even small traces of alcohol on a person's breath. While the primary purpose of these devices is to detect alcohol consumed from drinks, there are several other chemical sources that can trigger a positive reading, including everyday foods.
Some foods, particularly those that ferment or contain small amounts of alcohol, can trigger a positive reading on an interlock device. Bread, pastries, and ripe fruit, for example, can produce trace amounts of alcohol as they break down, which may be detected by the device. This occurs due to the yeast and bacteria present in these foods, which create small quantities of alcohol during the fermentation process. French-style sweet milk rolls and American-style burger rolls are known to contain higher amounts of alcohol, with 1.2 grams of ethanol per 100 grams, while pumpernickel bread contains the least, with 0.03 grams of ethanol.
Additionally, ripe and overripe fruits, such as bananas, can contain varying amounts of alcohol. A ripe banana typically has an ABV of 0.2%, while a very ripe banana can have an ABV of up to 0.4%. Other fruits, including grapes, oranges, and apples, can also contain trace amounts of alcohol, typically ranging from 0.04% to 0.5% ABV. It is important to note that the alcohol content in fruits can fluctuate depending on the type of fruit and the duration of fermentation before consumption.
Consuming foods with trace amounts of alcohol does not cause intoxication. However, it is advisable to be cautious when using an interlock device. If you plan to eat these foods, it is recommended to wait a few minutes, rinse your mouth with water, and then provide a breath sample to ensure accurate readings.
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Energy drinks, coffee, and kombucha
Energy drinks typically do not contain alcohol, but some varieties may include small amounts of ethanol or other alcoholic compounds. While the amount is usually not enough to cause intoxication, it could potentially trigger a positive reading on an IID. It is important to check the ingredients and be cautious about consuming energy drinks before driving a vehicle equipped with an IID.
Coffee, in its pure form, does not contain alcohol and will not directly affect an IID test. However, coffee is often paired with alcoholic drinks, such as Irish coffee, which combines coffee with whiskey and other alcoholic ingredients. Consuming coffee-based alcoholic drinks can definitely set off an IID. Additionally, coffee breath sprays or mouthwashes containing alcohol can leave trace amounts of alcohol in your mouth, potentially resulting in a positive IID reading.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that contains trace amounts of alcohol. The fermentation process produces the same type of alcohol found in beer, wine, or liquor. Even though kombucha is not intoxicating in small quantities, the alcohol it contains can be detected by an IID. Therefore, consuming kombucha may lead to a positive reading and should be treated with the same caution as alcoholic drinks when operating a vehicle with an IID.
It is important to note that modern IIDs use alcohol-specific detection technology, so the chances of false positives from these substances are rare. However, it is always advisable to be cautious and allow some time after consuming these beverages before providing a breath sample. Rinsing your mouth with water can also help reduce the risk of a positive reading.
While energy drinks, coffee, and kombucha may not directly cause a failure on an IID test, their potential for trace amounts of alcohol or other compounds means they should be consumed with caution when operating a vehicle equipped with an IID.
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Medication, cough syrup, and breath fresheners
Ignition interlock devices are highly accurate and designed to detect even the smallest traces of alcohol. They use advanced fuel-cell technology, which reacts specifically to alcohol molecules in your breath. However, compounds that mimic alcohol can interfere with the results. While these instances are rare, it’s helpful to be aware of them so you can take steps to avoid an unexpected, failed interlock test.
Medications
Certain medications, particularly those in liquid form, may contain alcohol. For instance, cough syrups, liquid cold medicines, and asthma inhaler propellants may all include alcohol as a preservative or solvent. If you’re taking any medication, it’s a good idea to check the label for alcohol content and consult your doctor about alcohol-free alternatives.
Cough syrup
Cough syrups, as mentioned above, often contain alcohol. This is a common preservative or solvent in liquid medications. If you are required to take a cough syrup with alcohol in it, be sure to consult with your DUI lawyer, monitoring agency, and service technician.
Breath fresheners
Commercial products like breath fresheners often contain alcohol. Alcohol is a useful chemical that preserves organic and other materials, stabilizes various mixtures, prevents freezing, and provides moisture. An ignition interlock device can detect this alcohol, so it is possible to blow a temporary fail if you have recently used a breath freshener. However, it is not likely that an air freshener will make you fail your ignition interlock test.
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Environmental factors, like smoke or vapour
In addition to smoke and vapour, other environmental factors can also interfere with interlock device readings. For example, yeast in the air can interact with carbohydrates in the mouth, such as pizza or pastries, to produce small amounts of alcohol. This can be detected by the device and result in a positive reading. Similarly, ripe fruit can undergo fermentation and release small amounts of alcohol, which can be detected by the interlock device.
It is important to note that modern interlock devices are designed to accurately detect only alcohol. However, older devices may be more sensitive to other compounds and environmental factors. To ensure accurate readings, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with water and wait a few minutes before taking the test, especially after consuming foods or drinks that may contain trace amounts of alcohol.
While smoke and vapour may not directly set off an interlock device, it is important to be cautious and follow the recommended guidelines to maintain the accuracy of the device and avoid any potential issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Foods that contain alcohol or trigger a reaction in your body can set off an interlock device. Some common culprits include mouthwash, breath sprays, energy drinks, ripe fruit, bread, pastries, and certain medications.
It is recommended that you wait 15-20 minutes after eating or drinking and rinse your mouth with water before submitting a breath sample.
If you believe you have a false positive, it is important to clear the air in your vehicle and rinse your mouth with water before providing another sample. You should also inform your DUI lawyer and monitoring agency.
Yes, substances that contain alcohol or compounds that mimic alcohol can set off an interlock device. This includes personal hygiene products such as perfume, cologne, and certain brands of toothpaste.
