Tell Your U.S. Representatives to Co-Sponsor and Pass H.R. 4737, The Apeel Reveal Act

The battle for food transparency continues. What if your fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables were sprayed with an undisclosed coating containing an ingredient that caused you to have a severe allergic reaction? Or with undisclosed ingredients that are commonly found in processed junk food? This nightmare situation is now reality.

With a grant from the Gates Foundation, Apeel claims to have created a plant-based coating that extends the shelf life of certain fresh fruits and vegetables. The company states that the ingredients, “plant-based simple fats called mono- and diglycerides, baking soda and citric acid—are common, naturally occurring food ingredients found in the edible peels, pulp, and seeds of fruits and vegetables that also have a long history of safe use in everyday foods such as baby formula, dairy products, baked goods, meats, and nut and seed butters.”

Let’s talk about those ingredients. First, the company does not disclose a full list of ingredients with the source of each ingredient.

Mono- and diglycerides are a type of emulsifier, commonly derived from plant-based sources like soybean oil, palm oil, or sunflower oil. These emulsifiers are used to help mix oil and water-based ingredients, preventing separation and creating a stable product. They are commonly used in processed junk foods like ice cream, cookies and cakes, bread, margarine, mayonnaise, processed meats, some frozen meals and chocolate and candy.

A recent study on the impacts of processed foods on human health and weight found that many foods that are perceived to be healthy because they are minimally processed contain ingredients such as emulsifiers and have a negative impact on human health. Other studies suggest that certain food emulsifiers can alter the gut microbiome, potentially leading to inflammation and other health issues. While mono and diglycerides were not studied, more research is needed to determine whether mono and diglycerides do the same.

This also leads us to ask: what are these mono and diglycerides derived from? Studies link GMO soybean oil to liver and kidney damage. There are, without a doubt, people who react to ingredients derived from soy, including soybean oil.

Or maybe they are derived from seed oils, which have high levels of omega-6 fats that can lead to inflammation. “Seed oils are chemically processed, which may include cleaning, pressing, bleaching, deodorizing, refining and, in some cases, adding a chemical solvent hexane for oil extraction. The processing of these oils strips the seeds of their nutrients and could potentially add harmful ingredients.” - Julia Zumpano, RD, LD

Then there is the citric acid. Citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits but is also produced industrially. The industrial production of citric acid often relies on GMO corn feedstock, raising sustainability and GMO-related concerns. Mold (Aspergillus niger) is used to industrially produce citric acid and is generally considered safe, but some individuals with compromised immune systems may be sensitive to it and others may experience allergic reactions or sensitivities. A study published in December 2023 found that over 20% of the population has some form of mold sensitivity.

The widespread use of Apeel products on our fresh fruits and vegetables could make it difficult for people with allergies to the ingredients, or for individuals who avoid inflammatory ingredients, to find safe, clean food.

It can’t be a good thing to coat our healthy fresh food with ingredients widely found in processed junk.

We’ve said it time and time again. If you don’t know what you’re eating, you can’t figure out if it’s making you sick. Labeling foods coated in Apeel’s processed junk food ingredients will give us the transparency required to exercise our freedom to choose not to eat it.

“The Apeel Reveal Act mandates a new label for food coated with a product designed by Apeel Sciences, a company that developed, through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a coating for fruits and vegetables to extend the products’ shelf life. We should know what we’re eating—transparency is essential for making healthy choices. My Apeel Reveal Act gives Americans the clarity they deserve when deciding what to feed themselves and their kids.” - Rep. Marlin Stutzman

You have a right to know what you’re eating and feeding your family. Tell your U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 4737 for mandatory labels on Apeel coated fruits and vegetables.