Why I'm Not Buying Into Apeel - A Health Conscious Consumer's Take (Part II)

Written By Christy Wallace

Now that we've covered the facts in Part I, I want to share my personal perspective on why I actively avoid Apeel-treated produce - and why I think the consumer backlash that led to its market withdrawal was completely justified.

This is my opinion based on the research and my values around food transparency and health. You may weigh these factors differently, and that's completely valid.

The Transparency Problem That Really Bothers Me

 
 

After diving deep into this research, here's what I find most troubling: Organipeel was marketed as being 99.34% undisclosed ingredients, with only 0.66% citric acid actually identified.

Think about that for a moment - we're talking about a coating applied to organic fruits and vegetables where consumers had no idea what made up the vast majority of the product.

Yes, Apeel has since clarified that their coatings contain "plant-based mono- and diglycerides," but this generic description doesn't tell the whole story. What percentage total? What else is not being disclosed? What specific sources? What processing methods? What potential residues from manufacturing?

If a company wants to put a coating on my food - especially organic food that I'm paying a premium for specifically to avoid unnecessary additives - I should know exactly what's in it. All of it. Not 0.66% of it.

The Post-Harvest Fungicide Issue That Really Concerns Me

Here's something that gets to the heart of my objection: Whether OMRI approved Organipeel as a post-harvest fungicide or as a spray-coating is irrelevant to me as a consumer - it's still a chemical treatment being sprayed onto organic produce after harvest. This is an example of well intended guidelines that create regulation loopholes or work arounds for companies to get approval and the consumer is none the wiser.

While this distinction might matter for regulatory purposes, from my perspective as someone trying to minimize chemical exposure, calling it a "fungicide" actually makes it worse, not better. When I think of fungicides, I think of pesticides - chemicals specifically designed to kill living organisms.

The fact that this substance can be classified as a fungicide and still be allowed on organic produce highlights exactly what's wrong with the current system. Whether you call it a coating, a treatment, or a fungicide, you're still adding synthetic chemicals to food that I'm buying specifically to avoid such treatments.

The semantic games don't change the fundamental reality: this is post-harvest chemical processing of organic produce.

"Edible" Doesn't Equal "Healthy" or "Necessary"

This is where I really want to push back on the industry messaging. Just because something is labeled "edible" doesn't make it healthy or necessary.

Plenty of FDA-approved food additives are technically "edible" but that doesn't mean I want them on my organic apples. Red Dye #3, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial trans fats were all FDA-approved as "edible" at various points too.

The whole point of choosing organic is to avoid unnecessary synthetic processing and additives. When I buy organic, I'm explicitly trying to reduce my exposure to industrial food processing. Adding mystery coatings defeats the entire purpose.

We Don't Need More Chemical Exposure

Here's the bigger picture that really drives my position: We already have enough to wade through when it comes to toxins in our food and environment.

From pesticide residues to PFAS chemicals, from microplastics to endocrine disruptors - our bodies are already dealing with an unprecedented toxic load. We're constantly exposed to:

  • Pesticide residues on conventional produce

  • Chemical preservatives in processed foods

  • Plasticizers leaching from packaging

  • Air pollution and environmental contaminants

  • Synthetic chemicals in personal care products

  • Pharmaceutical residues in drinking water

 
 

The last thing we need is more products being sprayed on our food, especially when we don't even know what's in them.

Every additional chemical exposure adds to our total body burden. And when it comes to organic produce - food that people specifically choose to reduce their toxic exposure - adding mystery coatings feels like a betrayal of consumer trust.

The Regulatory Loophole That Concerns Me

The fact that mono- and diglycerides are restricted in organic production to "drum drying" applications - not as coatings - tells me that even organic regulators recognized these ingredients have limitations.

Yet somehow Organipeel slipped through by being classified as a "fungicide" rather than a coating. This kind of regulatory gymnastics is exactly what erodes trust in our food system.

If the ingredients weren't appropriate for organic coatings under normal circumstances, why should a semantic classification change make them suddenly acceptable?

What This Means for Organic Integrity

When I choose organic, I'm making a conscious decision to support:

  • Farming practices that build soil health

  • Reduced synthetic chemical inputs

  • Transparency in production methods

  • Foods that are as close to their natural state as possible

Invisible coatings with undisclosed ingredients run counter to every one of these principles.

Organic should mean I can trust what I'm buying without having to become a chemistry detective.

Why Consumer Pressure Worked (And Should Have)

The good news? Consumer pressure worked, and I think that's exactly how the system should function.

The fact that Organipeel was voluntarily discontinued and major retailers stopped carrying Apeel products shows that our voices matter. When we demand transparency and vote with our wallets, companies listen.

This isn't about being anti-innovation or anti-science. It's about demanding that innovation serves consumers, not just corporate bottom lines. If food waste is a real concern (and it is), then let's solve it with methods that don't compromise the principles that organic consumers value.

My Personal Choices Going Forward

I'll continue choosing retailers like Natural Grocers and Trader Joe's that have taken clear stances against carrying coated produce. These companies have shown they prioritize customer trust over potential profit from longer shelf life.

When I shop elsewhere, I ask questions. I read labels. I seek out local farmers markets where I can talk directly to the people growing my food.

Because at the end of the day, if I wanted my fruit to have a synthetic coating, I'd buy conventional produce and save the money.

The Bigger Picture: What We Can Learn

The Apeel controversy highlights something important about our food system: transparency should be the baseline, not the exception.

We shouldn't have to become investigative journalists to understand what's on our food. We shouldn't have to decode ingredient lists or research regulatory classifications. Companies should compete on the quality and safety of their products, not on how cleverly they can hide ingredients behind vague language.

The fact that widespread consumer resistance was able to effectively remove these products from shelves gives me hope. It shows that despite corporate marketing budgets and regulatory approval, consumers still have power when we use it collectively.

What You Can Do

If you share my concerns about food transparency and chemical exposure:

  1. Shop with your values: Support retailers that have taken clear positions on these issues

  2. Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask produce managers about their sourcing and coating policies

  3. Choose local when possible: Farmers markets and CSAs offer the most transparency

  4. Read labels carefully: Look for clear ingredient disclosures, not vague marketing language

  5. Stay informed: Keep researching and sharing factual information with your community

Final Thoughts

This isn't about fear-mongering or rejecting all food technology. It's about maintaining our right to know what's in our food and to make informed choices based on our own values and health priorities.

The Apeel story shows that consumers can still influence the food system when we demand transparency and vote with our wallets. That's exactly how it should work.

We deserve better than mystery coatings on our organic produce. And thankfully, we have the power to demand it.

What are your thoughts on food coatings and transparency in labeling? Have you noticed any changes in your local grocery stores' produce sections? Share your experience on the @fastinginparadise posts related to Apeel on Instagram

Note on Personal Health Choices: These resources reflect my personal research and values around food transparency. Everyone's health priorities and risk tolerance are different. This post represents my opinion based on available information and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personal health decisions.

Christy Wallace
Next

The Complete Apeel Timeline - What Really Happened (Facts Only) - Part I