Answering your questions about Apeel
After receiving many questions about a produce coating called Apeel, Sound Consumer recently reviewed information about the substance and whether it is used on fruits and vegetables at PCC stores. The short answer is no: PCC suppliers do not, to the best of our knowledge, use Apeel (or an organic version dubbed “Organipeel.”)
Currently, we believe some public concern about the coating is based on misinformation. That said, we have not ruled out future reviews or restrictions on produce coatings and we are tracking any changes in regulations, usage, or science related to this substance.
Many readers asked for more information or had additional questions. Some responses are below, and we always welcome added feedback.
Questions about Apeel
Why doesn’t PCC think Apeel is a priority?
We recognize that coatings and films on fresh produce are a topic of concern for our shoppers, which means we do take this seriously and it is a priority for us to monitor. When the subject first came onto our radar, PCC asked our suppliers whether they were using these products. They were not. Distributors were not asking growers to apply the substance and the growers we purchased from directly were not interested in using it.
Given the low risk of Apeel being in our supply chain, updating our quality standards specifically to address this substance is not an immediate priority. We are instead focusing our resources on building new standards to address areas that have not previously had formal guidelines, such as PCC’s new cleaning standard, and on reviewing substances currently in use from potential suppliers.
What are the hidden ingredients in Apeel?
We connected with Apeel Sciences to gather more information about their ingredients, because we recognize that it raises red flags when companies do not disclose all ingredients. Based on their response and our own research, though, we believe the products do not contain undisclosed ingredients. We received questions about fillers and stabilizers being used in these products; but we do not see any evidence that they exist. Paperwork submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that Edipeel, for conventional produce, is a mix of plant-based mono- and diglycerides. A monoglyceride is a fat compound that has one fatty acid chain connected to a glycerol molecule; diglycerides have two fatty acid chains. According to Apeel, the manufacturing process involves extracting these compounds from a plant source, creating a liquid solution and then evaporating out that liquid to create a powder form of the mono and diglycerides. This information is consistent with paperwork the company submitted to the FDA.
Organipeel, for organic produce, is similar to Edipeel, but it also contains citric acid and baking soda.
With products that use proprietary ingredients, like Apeel, how do those of us with food allergies and chemical sensitivities know what we are eating? I am thankful you avoid it, as it keeps families with food allergies safe.
While we believe Apeel’s ingredients are known, we share this concern about proprietary ingredients (which includes categories in many broadly available foods, such as “natural flavorings,”) as an issue in the current U.S. food system. While producers are required to disclose ingredients that are among the nine major allergens, we recognize that many other ingredients exist that can trigger reactions. For instance, PCC quality standards prohibit products containing cochineal extract, a red dye derived from insects that can cause allergic reactions. We support transparency around all foods and feel strongly that if coatings like Edipeel/Organipeel are in the marketplace, they should be labelled so consumers can make informed choices.
Why does PCC claim Apeel’s coatings are safe?
While we have not specifically labeled the substance safe or unsafe, we have no reason to believe Edipeel/Organipeel is highly toxic, based on all the information available to us. Current debates are largely “he said/she said” controversies, e.g. some entities claim Apeel cannot be washed off, while producer Apeel Sciences says it can be washed off with water and light scrubbing. Some opponents claim there are small amounts of trans fats in Apeel’s ingredients (specifically in the mono- and di-glycerides it contains), while Apeel Sciences states that it does not contain trans fats. For certified organic products such as Organipeel, we have described some of the oversight processes that exist here. Beyond those existing guardrails, short of independent third-party testing, it is up to individuals to judge the evidence available and the credibility of such claims.
Where are we going from here?
In response to our shoppers concerns, we have communicated to our distributors and growers who supply produce directly to us that we do not want produce that is coated with Edipeel/Organipeel. We will continue to monitor the science and the marketplace to determine if there is a need to address it in our quality standards. For Organipeel, we also recommend consumers with any concerns bring them up with the National Organic Standards Board during one of the agency’s regular comment periods; see here for information on upcoming meetings.