Apeel-Coated Produce in Retail
Identifying which grocery stores are using Apeel requires understanding corporate policies, supplier relationships, and labeling practices. While Apeel, a plant-based coating designed to extend the shelf life of produce, is used by a network of suppliers, its retail presence is not universal. Shoppers can find Apeel on specific items at some stores, but others have taken a firm stance against it, and identifying the product can be difficult since the coating is invisible, tasteless, and odorless.
Retailers That Have Carried or May Carry Apeel
Several major chains have historically carried Apeel-coated produce, though their current policies may have shifted or are dependent on supplier choice. For instance, Kroger was an early partner of Apeel, but now states that only their non-private label produce might be treated with it. Similarly, while Walmart does not use Apeel on their own brand items, they carry produce from third-party suppliers who do, and customers have reported finding it.
Here is a list of retailers known to have carried Apeel-treated items:
- Kroger: Carries other brands that use Apeel, though their own private label items are not treated. This policy extends to subsidiaries like Fred Meyer and King Soopers.
- Target: Known to have carried produce with Apeel, including avocados, apples, and citrus fruit.
- Meijers: Carries some avocados and citrus fruit that are treated with Apeel.
- Albertsons: Has been known to carry produce with Apeel, and this lack of a restrictive policy applies to its subsidiaries like Safeway and Vons.
- The Fresh Market: Has been reported to sell Apeel-coated avocados and citrus fruit.
- Cub Foods, Shaws, Star Market: Known to sell some produce with Apeel, though they have no public disclosure policy.
Stores with Explicit Policies Against Apeel
Conversely, a growing number of health-conscious or member-based retailers have publicly declared that they do not stock produce with Apeel. These stores often communicate their policies to their suppliers to ensure compliance. This provides a clearer purchasing path for consumers who wish to avoid the coating.
This list includes stores with policies against Apeel:
- Costco: After an initial partnership, Costco's corporate produce department has confirmed they no longer carry produce treated with Apeel and have no plans to in the future.
- Trader Joe's: The retailer has ceased sourcing Apeel-coated produce, though it has not released a formal public policy statement.
- Sprouts Farmers Markets: Has a clear policy to not carry any produce treated with Apeel.
- Natural Grocers: Issued a public corporate statement confirming they do not carry Apeel-coated produce.
- Publix: Publicly states they will not purchase produce with Apeel's food coatings.
- Wegman's: Does not source any produce treated with Apeel.
- Erewhon: The natural grocery chain does not source produce with Apeel.
- Fresh Thyme: This grocery store does not source produce that has been treated with Apeel.
The Crucial Role of Produce Suppliers
Ultimately, the presence of Apeel in a grocery store often comes down to the individual produce supplier. Large suppliers frequently provide treated and untreated options to different retailers. For example, avocado suppliers like West Pak and Index Fresh and citrus supplier Limoneira have been noted for using Apeel on their products. Sage Fruit Company has also historically used Apeel on certain apple varieties, although some sources suggest this has changed. Because suppliers distribute to multiple retailers, Apeel-treated items can appear in stores that don't have a corporate-wide stance against it. This is why some retailers cannot definitively confirm whether every item is Apeel-free.
Comparison Table: Retailer Apeel Policies
| Retailer | Apeel Policy | Notable Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Costco | Excludes produce with Apeel | Confirmed cessation of previous partnership |
| Kroger | Carries produce with Apeel via suppliers | Private-label produce is not coated |
| Sprouts | Excludes produce with Apeel | Corporate policy against carrying |
| Target | Known to carry produce with Apeel | Carries various treated fruits and vegetables |
| Trader Joe's | Excludes produce with Apeel | Has stopped sourcing treated items |
| Whole Foods | Company says no, but varies | Regional and local teams may purchase differently |
Conclusion: Consumer Vigilance is Key
Given the varied and sometimes opaque nature of Apeel's presence in grocery stores, consumers must remain vigilant. The most reliable way to avoid Apeel-treated produce is to shop at stores with publicly stated corporate policies against it, like Sprouts or Natural Grocers. For shoppers at larger chains with mixed policies, such as Kroger or Walmart, it's best to check for explicit labeling or ask store management, though they may not always have a definitive answer for non-private label brands. Staying informed about specific produce suppliers can also help, as some are more consistent in their use of the coating. Ultimately, a shopper's best bet is to be an informed customer and check store-specific policies and product labels closely.
For more information on the technology and its usage, you can refer to the official Apeel Sciences website.
