Does Whole Foods Use Apeel in the USA? An Investigation into their Produce Policy

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

According to reports from industry trackers like My Health Forward, Whole Foods Market's global purchasing team officially does not procure Apeel-treated items, yet total clarity is hindered by regional purchasing practices. This situation leaves consumers questioning, "Does Whole Foods use Apeel in the USA?" and highlights persistent transparency issues within the supply chain.

Quick Summary

Whole Foods' global team refrains from buying produce treated with Apeel, but inconsistent regional policies and supply chain practices create consumer confusion. Lack of visible labeling on display items means shoppers must often ask staff to verify if produce has Apeel.

Key Points

Global Policy vs. Regional Ambiguity: Whole Foods' official global policy forbids purchasing Apeel-coated produce, but it cannot guarantee this for regional or local procurement.
Hidden from Plain Sight: If produce with Apeel is mistakenly sent by a supplier, it may be noted on the shipping box, but there is no mandatory labeling on the display produce itself.
Supplier-Dependent Practices: The use of Apeel in the supply chain is inconsistent, with some suppliers using it on certain products for other retailers while avoiding it for Whole Foods.
Other Coatings Used: Whole Foods is known to use other coatings, including lac resin and beeswax, and these are often more transparently applied than Apeel.
Consumer Action Required: Customers who want to avoid Apeel must be proactive by asking produce staff for information, as clear on-shelf labeling for this specific coating is absent.
Not all 'Apeel' is the same: A fact check clarified that a safety sheet widely shared on social media was for a chemical cleaning product also called 'Apeel', not the produce coating.

What is Apeel?

Apeel is an edible coating developed by Apeel Sciences to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. It is derived from mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, which are plant-based compounds naturally found in the peels and pulp of fruits and vegetables. The company manufactures two primary products: Edipeel™ for conventional produce and Organipeel™ for organic produce. The coating forms an extra, invisible barrier that slows water loss and oxidation, both of which cause produce to spoil more quickly.

Whole Foods Market's Official Stance and Its Ambiguity

Whole Foods Market (WFM) has faced public scrutiny and conflicting reports regarding its use of Apeel-treated produce. According to recent research from My Health Forward, WFM's official global purchasing policy states that the company does not purchase items that have been treated with Apeel. However, the same report notes that this policy could not be confirmed for regional and local purchasing teams, indicating a potential loophole. A former Whole Foods co-CEO, Walter Robb, is also a partner at S2G Ventures, an Apeel investor, which has led some customers to question the company's commitment.

This discrepancy creates a significant transparency issue. As reported by Green Matters in July 2025, employees stated that while Apeel-treated produce isn't purchased intentionally, any arriving in supplier boxes would indicate the treatment, but the produce itself would have no labeling. This places the burden on the customer to actively inquire with store staff about every piece of produce, which is not a sustainable or reliable solution for most shoppers. In contrast, some smaller independent markets have explicit policies against carrying any Apeel-treated items.

Navigating Supplier Practices

Whole Foods' produce sourcing is a complex network involving numerous suppliers, which adds to the Apeel confusion. Some suppliers are known to use Apeel, while others do not. For instance, according to My Health Forward, Calavo Avocados reportedly offers some Apeel-coated avocados but does not send them to Whole Foods. Conversely, other suppliers like Horton Fruit Company and Index Fresh apply Apeel to avocados and distribute them to various retailers, but it is unclear if WFM receives those specific batches.

Moreover, the cost of Apeel coatings can be prohibitive for many small, local growers, meaning it is more commonly used by large-scale conventional or organic producers. This can create a false sense of security for consumers who prioritize organic produce, though larger organic suppliers have used it in the past. Some retailers, like First Alternative Co-op, have noted that their distributors do not even request Apeel, further complicating the picture of its prevalence.

Whole Foods' Other Produce Coatings

It is important to note that Apeel is not the only coating used on fresh produce, and Whole Foods is transparent about its use of other coatings. Some of these are derived from insect-based sources and are generally less controversial than the proprietary formulations of Apeel.

Commonly Used Coatings at Whole Foods:

Lac Resin: A shellac-based coating derived from the resin of the lac insect. It provides a glossy finish and protective barrier.
Beeswax: A natural wax produced by bees that is often used to coat and protect fruits and vegetables.
Other Synthetic Coatings: Some produce may be coated with synthetic waxes derived from materials like polyethylene, paraffin, or mineral oil.

Comparison Table: Produce Coating Policies


Grocery Store	Apeel Policy	Transparency Level	Common Alternatives/Notes
Whole Foods Market	Global team avoids purchasing, but regional ambiguity and supplier inconsistency exists.	Low	Utilizes other waxes like lac resin and beeswax; customers must ask staff to confirm.
Natural Grocers	Explicitly states they do not carry any produce treated with Apeel.	High	No Apeel.
Costco	Ceased carrying Apeel-treated produce after using it in the past.	High	No Apeel.
Sprouts Farmers Market	Made a decision not to carry any produce treated with Apeel.	High	No Apeel.
Kroger	Does not use Apeel on its private label produce but may carry other brands that do.	Medium	Need to check brands; potential for Apeel on third-party products.

Conclusion: How to Shop with Caution

While Whole Foods Market has an official policy for its global team against Apeel, consumer uncertainty remains high due to regional gaps and inconsistent supplier practices. The onus is on the customer to seek out information that should be readily available on the display. For concerned shoppers in the USA, the most reliable strategy is to confirm with a produce team member or to shop at retailers with more explicit, store-wide bans on Apeel-coated products. The lack of standardized labeling for this and other post-harvest treatments underscores a broader need for greater transparency in the food industry. For further reading on Apeel, see the report by My Health Forward.

Actionable tips for concerned consumers include:

Ask produce staff directly: This is the most reliable method for specific items at Whole Foods.
Support retailers with clear policies: Several grocery chains have public-facing bans on Apeel-coated produce.
Choose produce with inedible peels: Apeel is primarily concentrated on the peel, so peeling fruits like oranges can reduce exposure.
Buy local and in-season: Smaller, local organic growers are less likely to use such coatings due to cost.
Research specific suppliers: Some suppliers are more transparent about their practices than others.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Apeel is designed to be a durable and integrated coating that cannot be simply washed or rinsed off with water. It is a protective layer rather than a surface residue.

The policy is not totally clear because while the global purchasing team prohibits buying Apeel-treated items, the company could not verify the same strict policy for its regional and local purchasing decisions, creating a potential gap.

Yes, several other grocery chains like Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Costco have made public statements confirming they do not carry produce treated with Apeel.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and organic certifiers have deemed Apeel safe for use. However, some health advocacy groups and individuals have raised concerns about transparency regarding ingredients and potential risks for those with severe allergies or sensitivities.

The only reliable way is to ask a produce department employee to check the supplier's box, as the Apeel status will be printed there. For smaller, organic produce, it's less likely due to cost, but larger items might be a concern.

According to the official statement, their global team does not purchase Apeel-coated produce, regardless of whether it is organic or conventional. However, the ambiguity lies in regional sourcing and supplier practices.

Yes, Whole Foods is more transparent about its use of other coatings, including lac resin, beeswax, and synthetic waxes like paraffin, depending on the product.