An agricultural technology firm located in California introduced Apeel Produce in 2012, a product that has accumulated increasing attention as it finds its way onto the shelves of major stores. Trash Panda is here to provide you with straightforward information about Apeel Produce.

Apeel is an edible, plant-derived coating applied to a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as avocados, apples, cucumbers, and more, with the aim of prolonging their shelf life. This coating is both tasteless and colorless and is designed to minimize water loss and oxidation, which is said to reduce food waste. This edible coating can not be washed off.

This plant-based fruit coating is produced without genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and is free of numerous common allergens, such as tree nuts, soy, wheat, dairy, eggs, shellfish, and more. However, Apeel is made of monoglycerides and diglycerides both of which are flagged as Questionable in the Trash Panda app because they contain small amounts of trans fats, which are linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

In October 2019, the Food and Drug Administration, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, officially recognized Apeel as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS). The use of mono and diglycerides in the company's food products had previously been affirmed as safe for consumption by regulatory authorities including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, and Health Canada.

While the FDA has designated Apeel as "generally recognized as safe," it's important to remain vigilant about potential health risks associated with any food products. The FDA's report on Apeel notes the presence of trace amounts of heavy metals in their product. While these levels are not an immediate cause for concern when consumed in small quantities, the accumulation of these heavy metals in the body over time can impose a burden and potentially contribute to chronic illnesses.

Some grocery stores are refusing to sell Apeel products due to consumer concerns about the coating's ingredients and lack of transparency regarding its application. The following stores do not sell Apeel products:

While Apeel offers innovative solutions to reduce food waste, it’s essential to remain informed about its composition and potential health considerations. At Trash Panda, we aim to empower you with transparent, straightforward information to make the best choices for your health.