Apeel’s Coatings and Protecting Organic Integrity: What You Must Know
Consumers expect organic food to be free from synthetic additives, hazardous chemicals, and unnecessary processing. However, the introduction of synthetic coatings like Apeel’s Organipeel on organic produce raises important questions about transparency. The true essence of organic standards is also at risk of being diluted by corporate interests and questionable practices, including increasingly finding ways to capitalise on the organic label without adhering to the principles that make organic agriculture a healthier, more sustainable option.
Apeel Sciences,[1] backed by major corporate interests, has created edible coatings that claim to extend shelf life and reduce waste. Yet, hidden ingredients and loopholes threaten the integrity of organic standards, leaving consumers in the dark about what they are buying.
Key Points at a Glance
Apeel Sciences: Known for coatings like Organipeel and Edipeel, which are applied to fresh produce to reduce spoilage.
Transparency Concerns: These coatings lack clear labeling, leaving consumers unaware of what is on their food, including potential allergens or synthetic substances.
Organic Standards at Risk: Apeel's use of synthetic substances reflects a broader trend in which large corporations weaken organic standards, compromising the label’s intended transparency and integrity.
Let’s take a closer look at Apeel's products, their ingredients, and the larger implications for organic transparency and integrity.
What Is Apeel and Its Organipeel Product?
Apeel Sciences, in partnership with the Gates Foundation,[2] developed products like Organipeel and Edipeel, plant-based coatings designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. While the purpose may seem beneficial — like reducing food waste — the process and ingredients involved raise several red flags for the organic community.
The company promotes Organipeel as a safe, organic coating derived from plant oils. However, it’s registered as a pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), with citric acid listed as the active ingredient. This classification alone hints that Organipeel is more complex than a simple, natural coating. The "inert" ingredients — particularly sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and mono- and diglycerides — play a significant role, raising transparency concerns and questions about whether consumers are getting a natural product.
Let’s take a closer look at Apeel's products, their ingredients, and the larger implications for organic transparency and integrity.
Hidden Ingredients in Apeel’s Coatings
At the heart of Apeel’s Organipeel formula are mono- and diglycerides, fatty substances extracted from oils like grapeseed oil through a series of high-temperature and chemical processes.
Mono- and diglycerides are commonly found in ultra-processed foods such as candy and ice cream. While their presence in packaged foods may be accepted by some, it’s unexpected — and potentially misleading — to find these substances on fresh, organic produce.
Even though Apeel claims to avoid harmful solvents in the current manufacturing process, these details are not required on food labels, meaning consumers cannot fully assess what they are eating.
Apeel also asserts that its coatings contain no major allergens. However, the proprietary nature of their formula makes verifying this claim impossible, posing a risk to sensitive individuals who rely on transparent labelling.
Organic Loopholes: How Apeel Avoids Strict Standards
While glycerides are listed as allowable synthetic substances for specific applications in organic production, such as "drum drying of foods," they are not approved for use as edible coatings on organic produce.
This gap highlights a concerning trend: corporate interests finding ways to sidestep the intent of organic standards while still benefiting from the organic label.
Here are some examples of other ways organic standards have been weakened in recent years:
Hydroponic Agriculture in Organics: Foods grown without soil can now be labelled organic, even though soil health is a core principle of organic agriculture.
Factory Farming of Organic Eggs and Dairy: Nearly half of all organic milk and eggs come from factory farms, which often fall short of the humane and sustainable practices expected in organic farming.
Organic Poultry Loopholes: Industrial farms producing organic poultry often mislead consumers about the quality of life these animals experience, compromising the ethics of organic animal husbandry.
These examples illustrate how the integrity of organic standards is under pressure from commercial interests.
Lack of Transparency: What Consumers Aren’t Being Told
Another pressing issue is the lack of labelling for products coated with edible substances like Apeel’s. Consumers deserve to know precisely what they are feeding their families, including any synthetic additives that might be present.
One of the largest concerns with Apeel’s coatings is the absence of labelling on treated produce. Without clear identification, consumers lack critical information about potential allergens or synthetic ingredients. Those who purchase organic produce to avoid such substances may unknowingly consume them, eroding trust in the organic label.
The organic movement was built on transparency and a rejection of unnecessary chemicals. With hidden additives in organic produce, we risk compromising this trust and integrity that consumers value so highly.
Protecting the Future of Organic Standards
Apeel’s coatings illustrate a broader pattern where corporate interests encroach upon organic standards, prioritising profit over purity. Allowing substances like mono- and diglycerides onto organic produce weakens the meaning of organic and risks transforming it into a mere marketing tool, rather than a standard of excellence in farming and food production.
“The number one ingredient in organic food is integrity”
To safeguard organic integrity, we must:
Advocate for Clear Labeling: Demand transparency for all additives, coatings, and processes on organic foods.
Support Independent Organic Certifications: Choose products from farms and brands committed to upholding rigorous organic standards.
Educate Yourself and Others: Understand the nuances of organic labelling and question practices that seem contrary to organic principles.
The Call to Action: Ensuring Organic Purity
If we are to protect the organic movement from becoming co-opted by industrial interests, we must hold corporations and certifying bodies accountable, including the government agencies that give away too much freedom to large corporations in exchange for funds or other advantages.
Consumers deserve truly organic foods — free from coatings, synthetic ingredients, and misleading claims.
By staying informed, voicing concerns, and supporting genuine organic practices, we can help preserve the integrity of organic food for generations to come.
In review
Health Implications of Synthetic Additives Like Mono- and Diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides, while permitted in certain forms of organic production, have raised concerns due to their synthetic nature and processing methods.
Potential health implications include:
Allergen Concerns:
These additives can sometimes contain trace amounts of soy, corn, or other allergens, posing risks to individuals with sensitivities. Even though companies may claim they are allergen-free, the proprietary nature of processing often prevents full transparency.
Health Risks Linked to Processed Fatty Acids:
Research has shown that some emulsifiers and processed fatty acids could disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially impacting digestive health and immune function. This is particularly relevant for consumers choosing organic to avoid such additives and maintain natural gut health.
Insights from Organic Certification Experts
Organic standards advocates such as the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and Cornucopia Institute have consistently voiced concerns over synthetic additives in organics.[3,4]
They argue that allowing these additives:
Erodes Consumer Trust:
Ronnie Cummins, co-founder of the OCA, has highlighted that organic consumers expect a natural, additive-free product. Additives like mono- and diglycerides compromise this expectation, potentially weakening the organic certification.
Highlights the Importance of Transparent Standards:
Experts suggest opting for stricter certifications like Demeter Biodynamic or Regenerative Organic Certified, which limit synthetic substances even more rigorously than USDA Organic. Demeter, for example, prohibits coatings and additives that alter produce’s natural integrity, focusing instead on soil health and biodiversity as core organic principles. Biodynamic farming works with nature, not against it. Therefore, pesticides and antibiotics are always avoided.
Real-world Consumer Responses to Synthetic Additives
Recent years have seen consumer-led initiatives pushing back against synthetic additives in organic foods:
Petitions and Social Media Advocacy: Online petitions on platforms like Change.org have drawn attention to the issue of transparency in organic foods, with campaigns calling for clearer labelling of any synthetic coatings on produce. A notable example is the campaign against carrageenan, another synthetic additive, which led to its removal from organic certification in 2018 due to consumer pressure.
Consumer Trust Issues: According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), recent surveys indicate that 55% of organic consumers are increasingly concerned about misleading labels and hidden ingredients. The lack of transparency around coatings like Apeel only reinforces this concern, as consumers worry they may unknowingly consume synthetic chemicals.
Nutritional Implications of Extended Shelf Life
While Apeel and similar coatings aim to prolong produce freshness, research on nutrient retention shows potential drawbacks:
Nutrient Degradation Over Time: Prolonged shelf life may lead to a reduction in certain nutrients. For example, post-harvest, vitamin C and folate degrade significantly in fruits and vegetables. Natural, uncoated produce consumed closer to its harvest date generally retains higher nutrient levels, supporting the consumer preference for fresher, unprocessed produce.
Flavour and Quality Concerns: Some organic consumers report that treated produce may taste less fresh or have an altered texture. Coatings may prevent natural signals of ripening or spoilage, leading consumers to buy produce that isn’t as flavorful or nutritious as expected.
Action Steps for Concerned Consumers
For those wanting to avoid produce treated with synthetic coatings, there are several proactive steps to take:
Buy Directly from Local Farms: Shopping at local farmers' markets or through community-supported agriculture programs can provide greater assurance of untreated, organic produce. Smaller farms are often more transparent about their farming and post-harvest practices. This also cuts out the middleman and provides great savings.
Ask Your Grocers: Inquire with produce managers or customer service teams at your grocery store about which produce may be treated with Apeel or similar coatings. Many consumers have reported receiving helpful guidance, as grocery chains are increasingly aware of the transparency concerns around coated produce.
Overview of Apeel’s Partnerships and Global Regulations
Apeel coatings are now commonly applied to produce sold by major grocery chains, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Retailers using Apeel-coated produce include:
U.S. Retailers: Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods have incorporated Apeel-coated avocados, apples, and other produce.
International Reach: In Europe, Apeel has partnered with major retailers, including Germany’s EDEKA and the UK’s Tesco. European organic certification standards vary by country, and some markets like the UK have faced consumer backlash regarding synthetic coatings on organic foods.
Global Regulatory Perspectives:
EU vs. U.S. Organic Standards: The European Union has stricter organic standards than the U.S. in certain areas, often prohibiting specific synthetic additives allowed by USDA Organic standards. However, the EU still permits some coatings, like Apeel, leading to similar debates about transparency and organic integrity among European consumers.
Sources:
https://www.apeel.com
Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation. (2015). aPEEL Technology, Inc. Available at: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2015/08/opp1130141
https://organicconsumers.org
https://www.cornucopia.org