FAQ

What is Apeel?

Apeel is a family of plant-derived coatings that keep produce fresh. Apeel is made of plant-derived materials that exist in the peels, seeds and pulp of all the fruits and vegetables we already eat. These plant materials are called lipids and glycerolipids.

How does Apeel work?

The longer fruit ripens, the more moisture evaporates from the fruit and the more oxygen enters it. As a result, all fruits will spoil sooner or later. Apeel creates a second peel around the fruit. This protection forms a barrier that slows down evaporation and oxidation. In an avocado, this creates a so-called 'microclimate' that extends the ripening process, so that the avocado stays delicious for longer. EAT ME with Apeel will give the consumer more time to enjoy the tasty ready-to-eat avocados which can help waste less.

Is Apeel safe to eat?

Yes! Apeel is edible, safe to eat, and fully compliant with all U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulations and European Food Law. Apeel is made of widely-used plant-derived materials that are commonly found in foods and is approved for use on a wide variety of fruits.

Does the product get absorbed into the flesh of the produce?

No. Apeel is designed to act as a protective covering to the outside peel of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Can I wash Apeel off?

You could likely remove some of Apeel with water and scrubbing, but it’s unlikely that you’d be able to remove all of it without damaging the fruit. Apeel forms a barrier of edible plant material on the skin or peel, and it wouldn’t maintain the fruit’s natural freshness if it was easily removed. For that reason, we’ve very consciously selected and only use food ingredients to make Apeel, so it’s safe to eat along with the fruit. Our partners label produce with Apeel so you can make informed decisions. When considering what produce to buy, check the label and corresponding signage for the Apeel mark.

Does Apeel contain GMO ingredients?

No. Our products are not derived from genetically engineered plant material.

What if I have a food allergy?

Allergic responses can be triggered when protein from an allergenic source is present in a food product. Apeel products are not protein-based, but rather lipid-based—and lipids are not a source of regulated allergens. We also conduct testing to confirm the absence of regulated allergens. That said, if you have a known allergy or sensitivity to a fruit or vegetable, you should continue to avoid it whether or not it is an Apeel-protected fruit or vegetable.

Is Apeel a food wax?

Wax is typically used to give fruit a shiny appearance. Unlike a traditional wax, Apeel has been specifically designed to slow down water loss and oxidation, which maintains freshness and color for much longer.

Do you have to store fruit with Apeel differently?

Apeel does not change the way the consumer has to deal with fruit. An avocado that is normally kept in the fruit bowl can simply stay there with Apeel.

Is Apeel Vegan?

The ingredients in Apeel are not derived from animal sources. This means that consumers who choose to follow a diet that does not incorporate animal products or products that have been derived from animal sources may consider Apeel to be in alignment with their dietary choices.

Is Apeel gluten-free?

Yes, Apeel formulations are gluten-free.

How do we recognise an Apeel avocado?

Apeel avocados are either stickered (mono) or packed in packaging with the Apeel logo. The avocado itself looks the same as an untreated avocado.

How does Apeel’s product offer a sustainable solution?

Among all types of food humans consume, fresh fruits and vegetables have a high rate of waste due to their perishability. Apeel’s plant-derived postharvest solutions give growers, suppliers, retailers and consumers more time to distribute, sell and eat fresh fruits and vegetables before they spoil. By reducing food waste and the embodied environmental impacts throughout the supply chain, Apeel helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease water use.

How does Apeel measure the environmental benefits of their product?

Apeel uses a method called life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of both the Apeel product and Apeel-treated produce across all stages of their life cycles. These studies are conducted in-house and critically reviewed by a third-party in accordance with the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. Apeel evaluates the trade-offs between the environmental savings from reducing food waste (and other supply chain efficiencies) and the additional environmental impacts attributable to making, distributing and applying the Apeel product to produce. Ultimately, Apeel reports the net environmental savings for Apeel-treated produce compared to untreated produce in the market.