Apeel is a corporation whose product applies “plant-based” protections on fruits and vegetables “to slow the rate of oxidation and moisture loss.” In doing so, this food maintains a longer shelf life and ultimately reduces “food waste“.
Founded in 2012, and partially funded by Bill Gates and others. Apeel “has prevented 42 million pieces of fruit from going to waste at retail locations…with “up to 50% reduction in avocado food waste”, while conserving “nearly 4.7 billion liters of water”. Unknowingly, everyone has already been exposed to this “natural” extra peel on fruit. Granted, most people don’t eat the shells of avocados, oranges, or bananas, but what about that apple, cucumber, or orange and lemon zest? It’s likely most people don’t realize this stuff has already been applied to their produce.
“Apeel is composed entirely of purified monoglycerides and diglycerides”, substances that can be found in other foods, and declared safe to eat by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and World Health Organization (WHO). Now doesn’t that make one feel better?
While Apeel’s site goes to great lengths to not answer what the ingredients are, it does state it is “composed entirely of a mixture of food grade glycerolipids derived from edible plant oils, specifically the food additive mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids”. It is also “Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the United States”. Gotta love that “generally” remark. Extra safety assurance is given that Apeel aligns “with the requirements of UN Global Compact and OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.”
There are two different products for application. Invisipeel is applied to crops in the field and is a “molecular mix that throws off pests like bacteria, fungi, and insects” that can’t be washed off. Edipeel is applied to the produce after harvest where produce is sprayed or dipped into the Apeel solution. This solution solidifies and forms a barrier around the produce.
Organipeel, listed under an Apeel trademark application, appears to be an umbrella name for Invisipeel and Edipeel. It is an antimicrobial agent being “approved for 2 sites including vegetable wash water and fruit wash water”, and “for 3 pests and pest groups including but not limited to decay, storage microorganisms, and deterioration/spoilage bacteria” by Pomerix Pest Solutions. It is registered as a pestiside with clear hazards to humans and animals. The active ingredient is citric acid but its inert ingredients are not identified. On page 21 of this document, Apeel states Organipeel can be used on organic products as a pesticide, or fungicide, “for post-harvest handling of raw agricultural commodities.”
Multiple patents, with many approved, have been sought, and has interesting information on some. Besides citric acid, other ingredients can include esters, amides, amines, thiols, carboxylic acids, ethers, and aliphatic waxes, none of which appear to be harmful. However, residues of ethyl acetate, heptane, palladium, arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury have been found from the production process.
Apeel derives monoacylglycerides from grape seeds, claiming them “to be as safe and as acceptable as other mono- and diglycerides.” Of minor concern is the mono-diglycerides component. One study found that this compound does improve lutein absorption. However, monoglycerides contain small amounts of trans fats which can contribute to heart disease, but in general are found to be safe for consumption.
Much concern and questions have been raised about this invisible protective coat being used on produce, but the FDA finds nothing to be concerned about. It has even been applied to organic food which caused some alarm. Looking at all of the independent studies however, it does not appear that there should be cause for concern. Again, what the real concern should be is how food is being manipulated.
James Rogers, founder and CEO of Apeel, is a World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leader. His Apeel corporation is a WEF partner and endorsed by the World Food Programme. The real concern is the corporate world screwing around with food without most people’s knowledge, or that food being manipulated in other ways, such as the recent approval of lab grown chicken, gene edited pork, or genetically engineered salmon. The obsession to play God by these technocrats is beyond belief.
That should be the most primary concern, what is being done to change our food in so many ways.
Stores where Apeel products are sold can be found here. Some major stores selling this product are Walmart, Krogers (Fred Meyer), and Costco. If not sure, look for this logo on the product. More information about Apeel can be found in this video starting at the 5:30 mark.
