Can food's give a false positive reading on breathalyzers?

Question

I've recently been informed by a police officer that absolutely no food's are able to give a 'false positive' alcohol reading on a breathalyzer test, unless they obviously include alcohol, eg, vodka jello. However I have heard of numerous foods that can give you a fake reading, including some fruits, such as pears and banana's, as well as cherry ripes, mouthwash and mints. Is it true that these foods could give you a false positive reading? And if so, what other foods can?

Answer 1

No, foods don't give you a false positive.  Mouthwash could because many brands are full of alchohol.  If you let the food go bad so that it began to ferment it might, because there would be an alchohol content.

Answer 2

I remember the old watermelon and vodka treat.  Your only eating watermelon but your consuming alcohol.  If your drunk your drunk and shouldn't be driving.

Answer 3

before people argue with me, i have an interlock device in my own car and am EXTREMELY familiar with foods that CAN affect it. i have never failed a test, but at the time of installation they brief you for an hour about all the ways to s***w it up. of course things like extracts and mouthwash will certainly caused a failed test, but it is possible to fail from bananas and bread(i.e. yeast). baked goods that contain yeast AND extracts are very likely to cause a high reading. and be conscious of scented lotions on your face or certain lip glosses or make-ups/perfumes that can also interfere. Like i said, ive never failed one, but this info is coming from the interlock company themselves.

Answer 4

No, foods do not give false positive readings for alcohol unless they contain alcohol.

Answer 5

No, they cannot. Only something that has been infused with alcohol already, like, as you said, jello shots, or fruit that's been mixed with alcohol, like watermelon or peaches (my family basically empties a bottle of rum into a watermelon for the 4th of July)

Answer 6

no i saw it on myth busters

Answer 7

It is possible to s***w up some of the older breathalysers. But only if the food or substance is taken immediately before the test. These days, officers are trained to observe you for a minimum of 15 minutes before giving you a BAC test, during that time, you won't be allowed to put anything in your mouth.

If you attempt to s***w around, the officer will just likely consider it a refusal, which carries harsher punishments than an actual DWI in many areas.