Michelle Pfeiffer Raises Concerns Over APEEL

Michelle Pfeiffer is expressing her worries about APEEL, a food spray brand. On Thursday, she took to her Instagram story to voice her concerns after the FDA approved its use on USDA-certified organic produce.

“APEEL, which consists of edible plant-based coatings meant to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables, is now approved. This means ‘organic’ produce could be coated with something we can’t see or wash off,” she stated, adding that she was “very concerned.”

Pfeiffer also shared an edited list of grocery stores that do not sell products containing APEEL, urging her followers to check out the links above her post.

In her main post, she re-shared a reel that claimed, “Organic produce is no longer safe. Bill Gates’ APEEL has just been approved for USDA certified organic.” It’s important to clarify that Gates is not a part of any food technology brand.

The actress’s posts highlighted the brands that utilize APEEL in their products. Interestingly, APEEL, founded in 2012 by James Rogers, received two grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, amounting to less than $1.1 million.

Despite this, the brand insists, “Bill Gates has no involvement or ownership in APEEL. We prioritize integrity and transparency, focused on improving food accessibility and sustainability.”

Pfeiffer further emphasized her concerns over the invisibility and washability of the coating. However, APEEL’s website claims that it can be removed with warm water and gentle scrubbing, either by hand or with a vegetable brush.

The coating is derived from mono and diglycerides, ingredients commonly found in plant skins, pulp, and seeds. Additionally, these components are naturally produced in our bodies during the digestion of fats and can be found in everyday items like salad dressings, pasta, bread, chocolate, and even infant formulas.