CLAIM:
Apeel uses carcinogenic chemicals in its edible coatings for fruits and vegetables.

FACT:
Apeel's coatings use FDA-approved, plant-derived ingredients (primarily mono- and diglycerides) that are safe for consumption and can be easily washed off.

Social media is rife with posts which claim that Apeel, a company producing edible coatings for fruits and vegetables, use toxic chemicals for their coatings. #Apeel has been trending on Twitter with calls to completely boycott the company and its products.

For instance, an X user, Alison Steinberg, shared a clip from her show on a far right American cable channel, in which they speak of the dangers of Apeel. "Bill Gates & World Economic Forum backed ‘Apeel’ is being sprayed on produce. This toxic coating cannot be washed off. Be sure to look out for the label the next time you are in the grocery store," she wrote in the post, that has been viewed 1.4 million times.

Bill Gates & World Economic Forum backed ‘Apeel’ is being sprayed on produce. This toxic coating cannot be washed off. Be sure to look out for the label the next time you are in the grocery store 🚨🚨 @OANN
•#apeel #produce #fruits #vegetables #food #toxic #billgates #wef… pic.twitter.com/66C1aM4Z1L

— Alison Steinberg (@alisonintheknow) June 26, 2024

In the video, delivered in a slightly alarmist tone, she says Apeel's main ingredients are mono- and diglycerides, "which are extracted from grape seed oil."

"This is then processed with the use of two solvents, which are ethyl acetate and heptane, both of which are hazardous chemicals known to seriously damage internal organs in the case of repeated exposure. This coating cannot be washed off. Additionally the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, recognised glycidol, another name for these same ingredients as quote, probably carcinogenic to humans," she says, while adding "So why are they spraying this literal poison on our food?"

She also claims that the safety review of the product was done by the Food and Chemical industry, "as opposed to the FDA."

She then shares other social media posts and videos which allegedly show how Apeel makes the texture of the food more rubbery.

The First Check team looked at these claims, and found that Apeel's coatings are indeed made primarily of mono- and diglycerides; the company's website states that their products for conventional produce contain plant-based mono- and diglycerides. Organic produce coatings include citric acid, baking soda, and mono- and diglycerides.

However, unlike Steinberg's claims these are plant-derived ingredients that have been classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Apeel's manufacturing process currently involves distillation using heat and pressure without solvents. The company also works to remove heavy metals during production.

Mono- and diglycerides consist of glyceryl mono- and diesters derived from edible fats and oils. They're produced through a chemical reaction between glycerin and fatty acids or triglycerides with an alkaline catalyst.

The resulting mixture primarily contains glycerides, along with some free fatty acids and glycerin. Common fatty acids used include lauric, linoleic, myristic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. These coatings aim to extend produce shelf life by slowing oxidation and reducing moisture loss, potentially decreasing food waste.

Though Steinberg claims that the coating cannot be washed off, consumers can rinse off Apeel's coatings with water or gentle scrubbing, according to Apeel.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet, providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support overall health, boost immunity, and maintain healthy skin. Apeel's plant-based coatings offer an alternative to traditional waxes and pesticides, aiming to maintain freshness without compromising safety.

Also read: Fact-check: Mangoes with black blotches may be artificially ripened

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