Despite its benefits, Apeel has sparked a variety of concerns and debates:
- Safety and Transparency: Consumers worry about the safety of consuming products treated with Apeel. While the coating is made from plant-based ingredients and is generally recognized as safe by regulatory agencies, there is a call for more transparency and detailed information about its composition and long-term effects.
- Natural vs. Synthetic: Although Apeel’s coating is derived from natural sources, some people are wary of any additional treatments or coatings on their food. The debate often revolves around the preference for completely unprocessed, natural produce versus those with applied technologies.
- Labeling and Awareness: There is a push for clear labeling so consumers are fully aware when they are purchasing produce treated with Apeel. The lack of consistent labeling can lead to confusion and mistrust among shoppers who want to make informed choices.
- Environmental Impact: While Apeel aims to reduce food waste, some environmentalists question the overall sustainability of the technology. Concerns include the resource intensity of producing the coating and whether the benefits outweigh the potential environmental costs.
- Economic and Market Effects: There are also concerns about how Apeel technology might impact the market dynamics for smaller producers or those who do not use the technology. The potential for market consolidation and its effects on pricing and competition are part of the broader discussion.
No Study on Apeels Affect on Digestion
As of now, there does not appear to be a specific, publicly available human study focused solely on how Apeel’s coating breaks down in the body. However, the safety and biodegradability of the ingredients used in Apeel’s coating have been evaluated by regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Here’s what is known:
1. GRAS Status:
- Apeel’s coating received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA in 2012. This designation is based on extensive research and data showing that the coating’s ingredients—plant-derived lipids and glycerolipids—are safe for human consumption.
- GRAS ingredients are commonly found in foods we already eat, such as the natural fats found in the peels and seeds of fruits and vegetables.
2. Plant-Based Ingredients:
- Apeel is made from edible plant-derived materials like lipids, which are naturally found in fruits and vegetables. When consumed, these fats and oils break down through the body’s normal digestive processes, much like any other fats we eat (e.g., those from avocado or olive oil).
- There has been no evidence to suggest that Apeel’s coating interacts with the body in any harmful way. It is designed to biodegrade naturally when eaten, similar to the breakdown of plant material.
3. Lack of Specific Studies:
- While there is no standalone clinical study detailing exactly how the coating breaks down in the human body, the fact that the ingredients are already widely consumed in food supports the assumption that the body processes Apeel in a safe, familiar manner.
- Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA rely on a wide range of scientific evidence when evaluating food additives, including animal studies, ingredient toxicity reports, and existing data on how the components of Apeel behave in food systems.
4. Real-World Usage:
- Apeel has been in widespread use since 2018, and millions of consumers have eaten fruits and vegetables coated with Apeel. To date, there have been no widespread reports of adverse effects, further supporting the notion that the coating breaks down safely when ingested.
Conclusion:
While no dedicated study focuses specifically on how Apeel breaks down in the body, its ingredients are recognized as safe by the FDA and EFSA. The plant-based lipids used in the coating are broken down by the digestive system like any other fats, and there has been no evidence suggesting any negative health effects from consuming Apeel-coated produce.
Companies Who are partners with Apeel
