Ant-Man star Michelle Pfeiffer recently took to Instagram to voice her strong objections against Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates regarding a preservative used on organic fruits to extend their shelf life.
Pfeiffer expressed her worries about newly approved food preservatives by the FDA for agricultural use.
“Apeel, a plant-based coating meant to prolong the freshness of fruits and vegetables, has just been authorized, and now it seems ‘organic’ produce is treated with something invisible that can’t be easily washed off,” she noted.
The Scarface actress stated that “organic produce is no longer safe” following the USDA’s approval of Gates’ Apeel for use with certified organic products.
The company, founded by James Rogers in 2012 and backed by a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, clarified that Gates has had no direct role in developing these preservatives.
Apeel responded to Pfeiffer’s comments, expressing disappointment over her use of her platform to share what they described as misinformation. “To clarify: Bill Gates is neither a current nor past shareholder of Apeel Sciences,” the company added.
They emphasized that their products have been compliant with FDA regulations and the US National Organic Program for nearly eight years.
Apeel also stated that the coating can be washed off and is not a permanent addition to the fruit. “Apeel utilizes natural plant fats or vegetable oils found in fruits and vegetables to create coatings that help retain moisture and diminish oxidation,” the company explained to the Associated Press.
Gates has drawn significant criticism for his extensive funding of vaccination initiatives, making him a frequent target for conspiracy theories, as some view his involvement in agriculture as similarly unsettling.
