Can You Fail Interlock Test By Eating Soy Sauce?

Have you ever wondered if something as innocent as soy sauce could cause you to fail an ignition interlock test?

The answer is yes, and it’s not just soy sauce that can trigger a false positive on these devices. In fact, there are a surprising number of foods, drinks, and medications that can make alcohol appear on your breath without actually getting you drunk.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the common culprits and provide tips on how to avoid accidentally failing your interlock test. So, whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned pro, read on to learn more about the unexpected ways that everyday items can impact your interlock results.

Can You Fail Interlock Test By Eating Soy Sauce?

Yes, you can fail an interlock test by eating soy sauce. Soy sauce contains a small amount of alcohol, which can be detected by the device and trigger a false positive. But soy sauce is not the only culprit. There are many other foods and drinks that can cause a false positive on an interlock test, including baked goods with vanilla extract or yeast, pasta with vodka sauce, red wine vinegar, non-alcoholic beer or wine, energy drinks, and mouthwash.

It’s important to be vigilant about what you eat and drink when you have an interlock device installed in your vehicle. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause a test failure, so it’s best to avoid these items altogether if possible. However, if you do consume them, there are steps you can take to prevent a false positive.

One of the most effective ways to avoid a false positive is to rinse your mouth out with water after eating or drinking anything that may contain alcohol. This will help remove any food particles or liquid that might contain trace amounts of alcohol. It’s also important to wait at least 15 minutes before submitting a breath sample, as the alcohol is in your mouth and not your bloodstream.

If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, it’s important to be aware that these diets can also cause a false positive on an interlock test. This is because dieters have high levels of acetone in their bodies, which can be misread as alcohol by the device. If you’re diabetic, this can also be a concern as high levels of acetone are common in those with uncontrolled diabetes.

Understanding Ignition Interlock Devices

Ignition interlock devices are designed to prevent drunk driving by requiring the driver to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the car. The device measures the driver’s breath alcohol content (BrAC) and will only allow the car to start if the BrAC is below a certain level, typically set at .02 or .025. These devices are highly sensitive and accurate, as required by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) model specifications for breath alcohol ignition interlock devices.

However, it’s important to note that the device only measures alcohol in the breath, not in the bloodstream. This means that even small amounts of alcohol in the mouth can trigger a false positive and cause a test failure. As mentioned earlier, there are many foods and drinks that contain trace amounts of alcohol, such as soy sauce, baked goods with vanilla extract or yeast, and pasta with vodka sauce. Even certain medications and mouthwash can cause a false positive.

To avoid a false positive, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth out with water after consuming anything that may contain alcohol. Waiting at least 15 minutes before submitting a breath sample will also help ensure that any trace amounts of alcohol have dissipated from the mouth. It’s important to be aware of what you eat and drink while using an ignition interlock device, as even small amounts of alcohol can cause a test failure.

How Interlock Tests Work

Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are highly sensitive and accurate when it comes to detecting alcohol on your breath. These devices use fuel cell technology to measure the concentration of alcohol in your breath. When you blow into the device, the alcohol in your breath reacts with the fuel cell, producing an electrical current. The device then measures the strength of this current to determine the concentration of alcohol in your breath.

Most states set the test failure blood alcohol content (BAC) level at .02 or .025, which is a very low threshold. This means that even a small amount of alcohol on your breath can cause a test failure. The device is designed to prevent the vehicle from starting if the BAC level is above the designated limit.

It’s important to note that IIDs only measure the alcohol in your breath, not your bloodstream. This means that any alcohol in your mouth, such as from food or drink, can be detected by the device and trigger a false positive.

To prevent false positives, it’s recommended that you rinse your mouth out with water before taking an interlock test. This will help remove any food particles or liquid that might contain trace amounts of alcohol. It’s also important to wait at least 15 minutes after eating or drinking before submitting a breath sample, as this will give any residual alcohol in your mouth time to dissipate.

False Positives: What Causes Them?

False positives on an interlock test can be caused by a variety of factors. One common cause is the consumption of foods or drinks that contain small amounts of alcohol, such as soy sauce, red wine vinegar, or non-alcoholic beer or wine. Baked goods with vanilla extract or yeast, pasta with vodka sauce, and energy drinks can also trigger a false positive. Even mouthwash and breath spray can add alcohol to your breath without you swallowing them.

Spicy foods can also cause false positives on an interlock test. This is because they can create methane gas once digested, which can lead to a positive alcohol reading. Similarly, dieters on certain high protein diets may have elevated levels of acetone in their bodies, which can be misread as alcohol by the device.

It’s important to note that false positives are not always caused by what you consume. Mouthwash and breath spray can leave residue in your mouth that may be detected by the device. Additionally, if the device is not calibrated properly or if there is a malfunction, it may produce inaccurate results.

To prevent false positives, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth out with water after eating or drinking anything that may contain alcohol. Waiting at least 15 minutes before submitting a breath sample can also help ensure accuracy. If you’re on a special diet or use mouthwash regularly, be sure to inform your interlock provider so they can adjust the device settings accordingly.

Surprising Foods And Drinks That Can Trigger False Positives

While some foods and drinks that can trigger a false positive on an interlock test may seem obvious, such as alcoholic beverages, there are some surprising items that can also cause a false positive. Here are some of the most unexpected culprits:

1. Ripe fruit: As fruit ripens, it releases small amounts of ethylene gas, which can be misread as alcohol by the device.

2. Honey buns: Some honey buns contain small amounts of alcohol in the glaze or filling.

3. Hot sauces: Spicy foods can create methane gas once digested, which can lead to a positive alcohol reading.

4. Protein bars: Some protein bars contain small amounts of alcohol in the flavoring or coating.

5. Sugarless gums: Some sugarless gums contain small amounts of alcohol to enhance the flavor.

6. Dishes prepared with or cooked in beer, liquor, or wine: Even if the alcohol content has been cooked off, trace amounts may still be present and detected by the device.

7. Energy drinks: Some energy drinks contain small amounts of alcohol or other ingredients that may trigger a BrAC reading.

8. Fermented sodas: Kombucha or kefir may contain trace amounts of alcohol that can be misread by the device.

It’s important to note that the full list of products that might give a false reading is always changing, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid anything that may contain even trace amounts of alcohol. Remember to rinse your mouth out with water after consuming any potentially problematic items, and wait at least 15 minutes before submitting a breath sample to ensure accurate results from your interlock device.

Medications That Can Impact Interlock Test Results

In addition to food and drink, certain medications can also impact interlock test results. Some asthma medications, such as Albuterol, salmeterol, and budesonide, contain trace amounts of alcohol that can cause a false positive on the device. Similarly, some over-the-counter cold and cough medications, such as NyQuil and Vicks products, also contain small amounts of alcohol that can skew the results.

Topical gels used to treat toothaches and canker sores, such as Anbesol, can also contain high levels of alcohol that can be detected by the interlock device. Mouthwash and breath sprays with high alcohol content can also affect the results of the test.

It’s important to speak with your doctor about any medications you are taking and their potential impact on interlock test results. If you do need to take medication that may affect the device, it’s best to wait at least 15 minutes after taking it before submitting a breath sample. This will help ensure a more accurate result.

Tips For Avoiding False Positives

Here are some tips for avoiding false positives on an interlock test:

1. Avoid consuming any food or drink that contains alcohol, including soy sauce, baked goods with vanilla extract or yeast, pasta with vodka sauce, red wine vinegar, non-alcoholic beer or wine, and energy drinks.

2. Rinse your mouth out with water after eating or drinking anything that may contain alcohol. This will help remove any food particles or liquid that might contain trace amounts of alcohol.

3. Wait at least 15 minutes before submitting a breath sample, as the alcohol is in your mouth and not your bloodstream.

4. If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, be aware that these diets can also cause a false positive on an interlock test. Try to eat foods that are low in acetone, such as lean protein and non-starchy vegetables.

5. If you’re diabetic, be aware that high levels of acetone are common in those with uncontrolled diabetes and can be misread as alcohol by the device. Speak to your doctor about ways to manage your diabetes and avoid false positives on an interlock test.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your interlock device provides accurate readings and helps keep you safe on the road.