Apeel Sciences, reportedly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been quietly approved to apply a spray coating to a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables in 65 countries including the US. Most of the foods that are being sprayed can be peeled but even produce such as leafy greens, tomatoes and raspberries are being sprayed. Unfortunately, a label is not required, which puts the burden on the consumer to determine if a food has been sprayed with this toxic coating that is also known as Edipeel. Apeel Sciences claims that the coating cannot be washed off.
If you ask Apeel Sciences what the coating is made of they claim it is made from grapeseed. Sounds
innocent but what they are not openly stating are the three petrochemical solvents which are highly toxic. Toluene, one of the solvents, is found in gasoline. There are also 5 heavy metals in the spray coating: palladium, arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. So when consuming produce coated with Apeel, we are potentially exposing ourselves to highly-processed fats, which contain trans fats and toxic heavy metals.
What can you do about Apeel? Contact the various brands of popular produce and ask if they are using Apeel. Talk with the produce manager where you shop. Chances are they won’t even know about Apeel. It is our understanding that Driscoll, the largest berry company in the world, is NOT using Apeel which is great news. Support the brands that do not use Apeel.
Please know that at Georgetown Market we are making efforts to contact our suppliers to ask if Apeel is being sprayed on their produce. If you wish to sign a petition to halt the uninformed spread of Apeel coating on fresh fruits and veggies around the world, please go to:
https://www.change.org/p/boycott-apeel-coated-produce-worldwide-until-further-testing-is-done
Please contact me at rick@georgetownmarket.com with any questions.
{DISCLAIMER: The information provided has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.}
