Michelle Pfeiffer Raises Concerns Over Apeel’s FDA Approval
Michelle Pfeiffer, known for her role in “Dark Shadows,” has raised concerns about the food spray brand Apeel Sciences. The actress shared a post on her Instagram Stories, expressing her worries about the product after it received FDA approval for use on USDA-certified organic produce.
In her message, Pfeiffer described Apeel as “very concerning.” She mentioned that the edible, plant-based coating is designed to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables but is now being applied to organic produce. She emphasized that this coating cannot be seen or washed off, which adds to her concern.
Pfeiffer followed up with an edited list of grocers that do not sell products using Apeel. She encouraged her followers to check out the full list through the link provided at the top of her post.
In her primary post, she re-shared a reel that claimed, “Organic Produce is no longer safe. Bill Gates’ Apeel just got approved for USDA-Certified Organic.” It’s important to note that Bill Gates is not associated with the food tech brand.
Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur James Rogers, Apeel received two grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2012 and 2015, totaling less than $1.1 million. In April 2024, the brand released a public message further distancing themselves from Gates. The statement said, “Bill Gates has zero involvement or ownership in Apeel. We’re a team who value honesty and transparency, dedicated to enhancing food accessibility and sustainability.”
Despite Pfeiffer’s claims, Apeel’s website states that the coating can be removed with warm water and a gentle scrub, either by hand or with a vegetable brush. The coating is made from “mono- and diglycerides,” ingredients found in the peels, pulp, and seeds of plants. These ingredients are also naturally formed in our bodies as we digest normal fats and are present in common foods like salad dressing, pastas, bread, chocolate, and even baby formula. The site notes that very little material is used to protect produce.
A spokesperson for Apeel responded to Pfeiffer’s comments, stating, “It is both disappointing and concerning to see a public figure like Michelle Pfeiffer use her platform to spread disinformation about our company, our mission, and the work of our employees.” The company emphasized that their products have been compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. National Organic Program requirements for nearly eight years, and they were not just recently approved.
“Apeel Sciences remains committed to correcting the record and defending our work in the face of disinformation. We urge Ms. Pfeiffer and others to do their research before contributing to the spread of falsehoods on social media.” They also reiterated that Gates is not associated with their company.
