Your avocado may look fresh, but it’s coated in something you didn’t ask for—and can’t wash off.
It’s called Apeel, a synthetic coating being used on fresh produce to extend shelf life. It sounds helpful, but Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and other independent bodies have raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency, chemical residues, and consumer rights.
What Is Apeel?
Apeel is a patented coating made from mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids derived from plant oils (such as grape seed, avocado, and linseed). The company claims it's edible, tasteless, and safe.
But here's what ACO and food safety advocates want you to know:
🛑 “These coatings are NOT permitted under Australian Certified Organic Standards.”
— Australian Organic Limited (AOL), parent body of ACO
According to the ACO Certification Guidelines:
✅ Only natural coatings like beeswax or carnauba wax are permitted on organic produce.
❌ Synthetic and industrial byproduct-based coatings like Apeel are prohibited.
⚠️ What’s The Problem?
It’s invisible, can’t be washed off, and isn’t always labelled.
🚫 May trap pesticide residues on conventional produce
🚫 Involves processing aids and solvents like heptane (a known irritant and possible neurotoxin)
🚫 No long-term studies on effects of chronic ingestion
🚫 No mandatory consumer labeling in Australia
“Consumers have the right to know what’s on their food, especially when it involves synthetic chemicals. Apeel does not meet the transparency or clean-label standards we expect.”
— ACO Advisory Statement, 2023
Where Is Apeel Being Used?
Apeel is already approved for use in:
- United States (FDA GRAS status)
- European Union
- Canada
- Australia (through FSANZ – Food Standards Australia New Zealand)
While Woolworths and Coles have not publicly confirmed Apeel use, Australian Organic notes imported produce—especially avocados and citrus—may be coated before arriving here.
Look out for:
- “Apeel Protected” stickers
- Produce imported from the U.S., South America, Mexico, or Europe
- Unusually long shelf life on perishable items
Is It Organic? NO.
Even if the fruit is grown organically, once it’s coated with Apeel, it can no longer be sold as organic under Australian standards.
ACO states:
“Once treated with non-compliant coatings like Apeel, produce must be removed from organic classification and labelling.”
How to Protect Yourself:
- Buy ACO-certified organic produce
- Shop local and from trusted groceries like Unique Wholefood
- Avoid imported produce with suspiciously long shelf life
- Ask your grocer if their produce is Apeel-coated
- Share this post to protect others
At Unique Wholefood
We DO NOT stock Apeel-coated produce.
We source only 100% ACO-certified organic fruit and vegetables—free of synthetic coatings, plastic barriers, or undisclosed chemicals.
Your food should be simple, clean, and honest.
Final Word
This isn’t conspiracy. This is conscious consumerism.
Let’s demand transparency, protect organic standards, and fight for the right to choose what we feed our families.
Share this. Talk about it. Demand change.
