Companies who are partners with Apeel

Several fruit and vegetable brands have partnered with Apeel Sciences, which provides an edible, plant-based coating to extend the shelf life of produce. Apeel’s technology is applied to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce food waste and keep products fresher for longer. Here are some major brands and produce categories that commonly use Apeel’s coating:

• Mission Produce
• Calavo Growers
• Del Rey Avocado
• Nature’s Partner (Giumarra Companies)
• Eco Farms
• Private Label
• Freska Produce
• Del Rey Avocado
• Lakeside Organic Gardens

Retailers

Various supermarkets and grocers partner with Apeel, applying the coating to produce sold under their private-label brands. These brands and retailers use Apeel to keep their products fresher for longer, reducing spoilage and helping consumers get better value from their purchases.

• Walmart
• Kroger
• Harps Food Stores

Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brand, like many of its other products, uses Apeel’s plant-based coating on certain fruits and vegetables to extend shelf life and reduce food waste. The Apeel coating is applied to help maintain freshness by slowing down water loss and oxidation, which are the main causes of spoilage.

Where You Might Find Apeel on 365 Products:

1. Avocados: Apeel’s coating is commonly applied to avocados, including those sold under the 365 Everyday Value brand, to keep them fresh for longer.
2. Citrus Fruits: Lemons, limes, and mandarins under the 365 label may also use Apeel to preserve freshness.
3. Other Produce: Certain apples, cucumbers, and asparagus in the 365 line may also feature Apeel’s coating, depending on the store’s sourcing and region.

Why Whole Foods Uses Apeel on 365:

• Reducing Food Waste: One of Whole Foods’ core values is sustainability, and using Apeel helps the store cut down on food waste by extending the life of produce.
• Fresher Produce for Shoppers: By using Apeel, the 365 brand can offer produce that stays fresher for longer, giving customers more flexibility to store their fruits and vegetables without worrying about spoilage.
• Sustainability: Apeel aligns with Whole Foods’ mission to promote environmentally friendly practices, as the coating is made from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients.

If you’re concerned about whether specific 365 products use Apeel, check the produce labels or inquire in-store, as some fruits and vegetables may come with or without the coating depending on the source and location.

Apeel’s coating is designed to be edible and safe, so it does not need to be removed from produce before consumption. However, if you prefer to try to clean it off, here are a few steps you can take to wash your produce thoroughly:

How to Clean Apeel Coating from Produce:

1. Rinse with Water:

• Start by rinsing the produce under cold running water. This helps to remove dirt and surface residues, though it may not fully remove the Apeel coating, as it’s designed to be water-resistant.

1. Use a Vegetable Brush:

• For tougher-skinned produce like cucumbers, apples, or avocados, use a soft vegetable brush to scrub the surface gently. This can help break up the coating on the outer layer.

1. Soak in a Baking Soda Solution:

• Fill a bowl with water and add 1–2 teaspoons of baking soda. Let the produce soak in this solution for a few minutes, then rinse under cold water. Baking soda is known to help clean off surface residues and may help with removing some of the coating.

1. Use Vinegar or Lemon Water:

• Another option is to soak the produce in a mixture of vinegar or lemon juice and water. Mix 1 part vinegar or lemon juice to 3 parts water, soak the produce for 5–10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Vinegar is a natural cleaner and might help break down the coating.

1. Dry with a Clean Towel:

• After rinsing, dry the produce with a clean towel to help remove any remaining residue.

Important Note:

Apeel’s coating is designed to be safe and edible, and washing may not fully remove it since it’s formulated to resist moisture and oxidation. However, these cleaning methods can help reduce surface residues if you prefer to clean your produce more thoroughly.

Costco

At Costco, certain fruits and vegetables may be coated with Apeel, the plant-based technology used to extend the shelf life of produce by slowing down spoilage. While specific brands can vary by region and product availability, here are some general produce categories and brands that may feature Apeel at Costco:

Common Produce with Apeel at Costco:

1. Avocados:

• Mission Produce is a major supplier of avocados to Costco, and they often use Apeel’s coating to extend the freshness of their avocados.

1. Citrus Fruits (such as lemons, limes, and mandarins):

• Citrus fruits sold at Costco, such as those from Eco Farms or Nature’s Partner, may use Apeel’s coating to keep them fresh for longer.

1. Mangos:

• Freska Produce, a mango supplier to Costco, uses Apeel’s coating on their mangos.

1. Cucumbers:

• Certain cucumbers sold at Costco might also have Apeel’s coating, especially if they are sourced from suppliers that use the technology.

How to Identify Apeel-Coated Produce at Costco:

• Look for Apeel branding or labels on the packaging. Many fruits and vegetables that use Apeel will have a label or sticker indicating that Apeel’s plant-based coating has been applied to extend freshness.

Why Costco Uses Apeel:

• Extended Shelf Life: Apeel allows Costco to offer produce that stays fresh longer, reducing waste both in-store and for customers at home.
• Sustainability: Using Apeel aligns with Costco’s efforts to promote sustainability by reducing food waste.

If you’re specifically looking to avoid or find Apeel-coated produce, checking product labels or asking store associates for details on the produce brands they carry can help.