Apeel Sciences responds to Federal Labeling Bill

California-based Apeel Sciences responded to the introduction of a bill that would require the company to disclose the ingredients behind its star product, plant-based food coating, Edipeel. The amendment to the Federal Labeling Bill cites concerns regarding consumer health, such as cancer and nerve damage. 

The tech brand highlighted its commitment to transparency and stated that it stands in agreement with Congressman Stutzman, who introduced the amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (H.R. 4737) in the House of Representatives on July 23. The text for the bill is still pending.

“Every consumer deserves to know where they can find safer, higher-quality, fresher produce in their grocery stores. And this has been a longstanding company belief since our founding in 2012,” said Apeel Sciences in a statement.

The company said it welcomes Stutzman’s spirit and looks forward to discussing food safety with him.

Apeel Science specializes in creating proprietary post-harvest food coatings that help extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The company clarified that it fully complies with existing labeling laws, and the ingredients behind its plant-based products have long been listed on its website. According to the statement, the component list includes naturally occurring food ingredients such as baking soda and citric acid, along with “simple fats” called mono- and diglycerides.

This is not the first time Apeel Sciences has found itself in the middle of misinformation regarding its products. In 2018, a fact sheet circulating online accused Edipeel of causing eye damage and allergic skin reactions, causing uproar among consumers on social media. However, the information was easily debunked, as it turned out that a surface cleaner commercialized in the U.K. by the same name was the source of the health risks featured in the fact sheet.

The Gates Foundation link

Part of the discussion around the safety of Apeel Science’s food coatings is the alleged connection between the tech company and The Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation. 

This link was brought up during an interview Congressman Stutzman gave news network OAN, and even by actress Michelle Pfeiffer, who shared a post on Instagram that falsely linked Apeel Sciences with the Microsoft founder. 

Pfeiffer later walked back her Instagram story and apologized to her followers for spreading inaccurate information. Apeel Sciences celebrated the actress’s correction and was clear to say that it has no connection to Bill Gates. 

“[He] is not now, nor has ever been, a shareholder in Apeel Sciences. He has never been an owner, advisor, or held any position within the company,” the company said. 

After its presentation in the House of Representatives, the  H.R.4737 bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it only has a 1 percent chance of being enacted, according to GovTrack.us. 

Photo courtesy of Appel Sciences. 

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