The edible food coating known as Apeel—developed by the California-based startup Apeel Sciences—aims to address the issue of food waste by reducing the amount of fresh produce that goes unsold or uneaten due to spoilage.

Used on both conventional and organic crops, the colorless, odorless, and tasteless coating creates a protective barrier that helps slow the rate of water loss and oxidation— primary causes of food spoilage.

Controversies and Concerns of Apeel

While the shelf-life extending technology has gained widespread attention for its potential to contribute to more sustainable and efficient food supply chains, concerns regarding safety have been growing.

According to Mark Kastel, executive director of the industry watchdog OrganicEye, the lack of ingredient transparency undermines the credibility of organic food safety.

“99.34 percent of the formulation of Organipeel [organic-approved Apeel coating] is not only being kept hidden from the public, but we are forced to trust unregulated, corporate-funded organizations to essentially interpret and enforce the USDA organic regulations. This creates a real lack of trust.”

Beyond the lack of available data, questions remain regarding the impact of food films on nutritional quality.

OrganicEye recommends that consumers who put a premium on sourcing fresh, nutrient-dense food start by seeking out organically produced options from their local foodshed.

“Even in the dead of the winter in northern climates, enterprising organic farmers grow luscious dark green spinach in unheated hoop houses and use many other cultural practices to extend the growing season,” Kastel notes.

“That ensures that great local produce is available for much of the year at farmers markets, direct from CSAs (community sponsored agriculture farms), and at independent and natural food cooperative grocers that source regionally.”

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Kastel, Mark. “Corporate Foxes Guarding the Organic Chicken Coop.” OrganicEye, June 22, 2023.

Goldberg, Max. “Key Takeaways from the Apeel Controversy and Where We Go from Here” OrganicInsider, July 19, 2023.