Apeel Sciences has developed a synthetic coating for fruits and vegetables called Organipeel, which has raised concerns about safety and transparency, particularly due to its connections with Bill Gates and questions about organic standards.
1. Product Overview:
• Organipeel is a coating designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
• It is registered with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a pesticide and is also listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for organic use.
2. Composition and Safety:
• The coating comprises 0.66% citric acid; the remaining 99.34% consists of undisclosed "other ingredients. "
• These "other ingredients" are plant-based chemicals commonly used in food processing.
• The EPA labels Organipeel with safety warnings typical for concentrated solutions but state that the product is safe for consumption once applied.
3. Public Concerns and Celebrity Involvement:
• The coating has faced criticism from organic advocates and celebrities, notably Michelle Pfeiffer, who initially questioned its safety on social media.
• Pfeiffer later issued a correction after receiving updated information from Apeel about the product's safety and its approval history.
4. Regulatory Background:
• Organipeel has been controversial since its approval, leading advocates to question the integrity of organic certification.
• Some retailers, like Natural Grocers, have opted not to sell produce treated with Apeel, citing health concerns.
5. Industry Response and Recommendations:
• The controversy has prompted calls for increased transparency in organic certification and greater scrutiny of products used in the organic industry.
• Consumers are encouraged to seek locally grown organic produce and to be cautious of products with unclear ingredient lists.
The debate surrounding Apeel Sciences' Organipeel highlights tensions between the need to prolong the shelf life of produce and maintain trust in organic standards. With growing public awareness about food safety, transparency, and accountability in the organic food sector are more critical than ever.
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