Have you heard of the toxic coating that is being put on your fruit and vegetables to preserve it longer?
It doesn’t matter if your produce is organic or conventional.
It’s still being coated with this “surface finishing agent” (their words not mine) which is approved by the FDA.
The only saving grace is at least the veggies and fruit are labeled that the coating is being used. So, you have a choice whether you eat it or not.
This one has sent me way down the rabbit hole!
Have you heard about Apeel? It’s not very Apeel-ing!
Let’s talk about the testing, toxicity and concerns, why we don’t want our produce to have this coating and which produce we need to avoid buying.
Listen in or read on below to learn more about this toxic coating the FDA approved on your produce.
Testing, Toxicity and Concerns
Apeel doesn’t tell us how much testing has actually been done on this “surface finishing agent”. So, we also don’t know what the long-term effects may be on our health.
I couldn’t find anything about testing on their website.
Per their website Apeel’s Edipeel meets the FDA’s requirements for qualification as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the United States as a surface finishing agent for fresh fruits and vegetables.
GRAS has been in existence since 1958. Under GRAS, if the companies’ own scientists determine it's safe to use, then food manufacturers have been allowed to introduce new ingredients into food without any notice to the FDA or the public.
Very concerning with any ingredient that is labeled as GRAS. Sounds like the fox is guarding the henhouse.
It took me quite a bit of digging but there are very concerning ingredients submitted by Apeel to the FDA for the mixture of mono and diacylglycerides derived from grape seed (MDAG) for use as a component of a surface finishing agent.
Apeel Sciences has established specifications for MDAG as follows:
total glycerides (>= 90 wt %);
mono- and diesters (>= 70 wt %);
a-monoglyceride content (>= 30 wt %);
total 33 wt %);
total glycerol (16-33 wt %);
free glycerol (<= 7 wt %);
soap (<= 6 wt %);
residue on ignition (<= 0.5% determined at 800 ± 25°C);
acid value (<= 6 wt %);
iodine value (<= 4);
water content (<= 2%);
ethyl acetate (<= 1,000 mg/kg);
heptane (<= 1,000 mg/kg);
palladium (<= 5 mg/kg);
arsenic (<= 3 mg/kg);
lead (<= 2 mg/kg);
cadmium (<= 1 mg/kg);
and mercury (<= 1 mg/kg).
These last 6 ingredients are very concerning: Heptane, Palladium, Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead and Mercury. They are all toxic and all except Heptane are heavy metals.
They may cause cancer, neurological issues, central nervous system issues, degenerative bone disease and even death. Granted they are not in great quantities but the accumulation of these toxins and heavy metals that are extensively used is very concerning as they will be stored in your body.
Why would any of those toxins need to be in our food?
From Apeel’s website: “This product is intended for custom application and requires special mixing and use procedures. It should be applied by Apeel Sciences employees, or persons trained by Apeel Sciences.”
Why are specially trained people required for this custom application? Is this due to the toxicity and heavy metals in the product?
Inquiring minds want to know…
Why You Don’t Want Your Produce to Have This Coating
If you aren’t convinced already there’s more!
What is Apeel Made from Since They Claim It’s Plant Based?
In the FAQ on their website one of the questions is, “Is Apeel a chemical?”.
The answer: “To learn more about what Apeel is made of, click here, to learn more from one of our co-founders, Jenny Du.” The link used to go to Instagram but now you will receive the message: Sorry, this page isn't available. Hmmmmm!
The website states that the product is glycerolipids, made from Mono- and diglycerides which actually contain trans-fat. Trans-fat promotes inflammation in the body. Trans-fat has also been associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke and obesity.
Who needs inflammation in their body? Especially when you are eating fresh produce and thinking you are doing something good for your body and health.
It’s honestly hard to find much more information than that on their website.
Apeel does not disclose extensive details on the formula on their website.
But this “surface finishing agent” can’t be washed off and it penetrates into the produce.
It keeps the produce fresh “looking” longer. They don’t specify how much longer. Apeel isn't made for the consumer; it’s made for the seller so they don’t lose money on their produce.
Produce should naturally decay. All living matter will eventually decay. Keeping it from decaying artificially is not natural.
When you can’t see the produce decaying how will you know how old the produce is? It may potentially be lower quality food. So, what nutritional value does it actually still contain? Fresh is honestly the best.
Apeel received a giant grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is considered safe to eat according to the FDA and World Health Organization (WHO). Apeel is actually endorsed on the World Economic Forum (WEF) website.
Need I say more?
Which Produce to Avoid Buying
Per their website: “Edipeel is also allowed for use on all fruits and vegetables in Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Peru and South Africa without restriction.
Additionally, Edipeel is allowed for use on the following fruits in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom: Avocados, citrus fruit, mangoes, papayas, melons, bananas, pineapples, and pomegranates.
Edipeel may be allowed for use in additional countries or regions not listed here.”
Also listed on their website, the following veggies and fruit are coated in this product so far:
North America: Avocados, English Cucumbers (Canada), Limes, Organic Apples
Europe: Avocados, Limes, Mandarins, Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruit, Mangoes
Check your labels for the Apeel logo or wording on the label of your fruit or veggie before you buy.
Apeel is toxic and will cause inflammation in your body. It also contains heavy metals. Would you want to eat it?
There is no indication of testing on their website.
My question would be are we the guinea pigs testing the effects on humans that consume Apeel?
You can’t wash it off the produce. What happens if your body doesn’t easily remove it?
What happens if it accumulates in your body (probably as fat)? What are the long-term side-effects of this “surface finishing agent”.
Personally, I don’t want to know for myself!
As always, please do your own research. I will leave links below for where I got my information.
On Apeel's website they had a store locator. It didn't work beyond 10 mi radius for me. But it said in the Orlando area where I live Target and The Fresh Market carried the produce. A friend of mine also found it at Walmart. So, be on the lookout! I'm not sure the locator is up to date.
So, will you eat fruits or veggies coated with Apeel? Will you do more research before you decide? Or will you just avoid produce with the Apeel label?
Let me know in the comments below or shoot me an
email - sheri@empoweredhealthcoaching.com I would love to hear.
Live life empowered!
Learn which foods to eat organic and which have less toxins and as we know now make sure there is no Apeel Sticker. Grab your Free Clean Food Cheat Sheet below:
Sheri Johnson is a certified Transformational Holistic Health and Life Coach in the Central Florida area. She believes everyone deserves an amazing healthy, balanced life, full of energy and feeling fantastic! When you get back on track in life and feel like yourself again then you can easily step into who you truly want to be, living out your purpose, passion and what you were called here to do.
If you are ready to decrease stress and overwhelm while creating balance in your body, mind and spirit then please check out her website and book a free strategy session with her below.
Links for blog:
https://www.apeel.com/
https://www.apeel.com/us-en/faq
https://www.weforum.org/organizations/apeel-sciences
https://fda.report/media/143429/GRAS-Notice-GRN-886-additional-correspondence2-correction.pdf
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-heavy-metal-605190