Lakeland DUI Defense Attorney Lists Foods That Can Inflate BAC Results
Police departments often use breathalyzers to conclude whether a driver is too intoxicated to drive - even though the tests are well-known to give false results. One of the most common triggers for a false positive BAC test result from a breathalyzer is food.
A wide variety of foods and beverages, if consumed prior to a breathalyzer, can affect test outcomes. Some foods can artificially inflate BAC test results. This includes very common foods like fruit and donuts. This means even if you didn't drink any alcohol, under the right circumstances, you can be stopped by the police, tested, fail (by allegedly registering a 0.08% BAC or higher), and get arrested for DUI. It's unfair, but your innocence will not protect you in this situation. You need an aggressive DUI defense lawyer that understands how weak breathalyzer results really are and has the experience and evidence to prove this fact to a judge and jury.
Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney at Law, is central Florida's go-to DUI defense lawyer. For more than 25 years, he has fought hard to protect the rights and freedom of those charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) in Polk County, Hillsborough County, and the surrounding area. If you have been charged with a DUI - even if you took a breathalyzer - it's important that you realize all of your legal options. Contact attorney Grajek for a free case consultation to learn more about how the law applies to your situation and how we can help you.
Foods that can trigger false positive BAC test results
Consuming food shortly before taking a DUI test can obscure your sobriety. There are several ways this happens. First, the test can be thrown off when tiny bits of food left over in your mouth start to ferment, indigestion, and diets that increase ketone production. For the most part, these are foods that include a lot of yeast, sugar, or alcohol. Diets that are low-carb/high-protein are also linked with artificially inflated BAC test results. However, if indigestion is the reason for a false positive, the source of the upset stomach depends on the person. Indigestion can throw off a breathalyzer because the gastrointestinal issue usually leads to burping, which may leave ethanol vapors from the stomach in the mouth. Common causes of indigestion include spicy foods and dairy, among other things.
The following foods and beverages are among those that may trigger false positive BAC test results:
- Energy drinks.
- Fruit and fruit juices, some smoothies.
- Vinegarettes like Italian and white wine salad dressing.
- Baking extracts like vanilla and lemon.
- Bread, including pizza, sandwiches, bagels, rolls, and some crackers.
- Pastries that rise like croissants, popovers, danish, some donuts (like honey-glazed), and potpie crust.
- Kombucha and other fermented beverages.
- Sugar-free gum.
Food is most likely to trigger a false positive BAC test if consumed up to 20 minutes before taking a breathalyzer. To reduce the risk of this happening, you can rinse your mouth out after a meal and before driving. This should help remove any leftover food bits. It is best to rinse with water. Do not use mouthwash, which contains alcohol. Mouthwash is also known to trigger false positive BAC test results.
DUI defense attorney serving Lakeland, Tampa, Lutz
You need a local attorney if you're facing criminal charges in Polk or Hillsborough County. Although Florida's laws may be applied uniformly throughout the state, this is not always the case. As a result, you will be in the best possible position to win your case if you hire a lawyer familiar with how the local police, courts, prosecutors, and juries function.
Attorney Grajek has been an attorney in Polk and Hillsborough counties for many years. He has the local knowledge and connections you need on your side. You can schedule a meeting and visit an office in Lakeland, Lutz, or Tampa for a free consultation if you're facing DUI or other criminal charges. Don't delay: Your legal options and rights may be impacted if you put off speaking with an attorney. When your freedom is on the line, don't go it alone. Speak with a lawyer who understands how to win here. Contact attorney Grajek to schedule your free case consultation right now.