Which Stores Use Apeel on Their Produce?

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Apeel Sciences, their plant-based coating has helped save millions of pieces of produce from being wasted since its launch. For shoppers concerned with minimizing food waste, knowing which retailers utilize this technology is crucial for making informed purchasing decisions.

Quick Summary

An updated list of grocery stores that carry produce treated with the plant-based Apeel coating. It includes retailers confirmed to carry Apeel, stores with uncertain policies, and those explicitly avoiding the product.

Key Points

Apeel is a plant-based coating: It is used on fresh produce to extend its shelf life by slowing water loss and oxidation.
Some major retailers carry it: Stores like Kroger, Target, and Meijers sell produce that may be treated with Apeel, especially from third-party suppliers.
Certain retailers have ceased carrying it: Costco and Trader Joe's previously carried Apeel but have stopped sourcing produce with the coating.
Many stores have policies against Apeel: Retailers like Natural Grocers, Sprouts, and Publix have explicitly committed to not stocking produce treated with Apeel.
Labeling can be inconsistent: Identifying Apeel can be difficult, as not all loose produce is consistently labeled with the Apeel logo.
Common Apeel-treated produce includes: Avocados, apples, limes, and cucumbers are the most common produce items treated with Apeel.
Shopping strategies can help: Look for the Apeel sticker, shop at stores with explicit "no Apeel" policies, and ask produce staff for details.

Apeel is an edible, plant-based coating designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce by slowing down water loss and oxidation. Applied by suppliers before shipping to retailers, this tasteless and odorless coating aims to reduce food waste and offer benefits to consumers. However, identifying which stores carry Apeel-treated produce can be difficult due to varying partnerships and transparency.

Stores Known to Carry Produce Treated with Apeel

Several major grocery retailers and their subsidiaries have either partnered with Apeel or are reported to carry Apeel-treated produce. Policies can vary, sometimes applying only to specific suppliers or non-private label brands.

Kroger: An early partner that carries produce with Apeel from third-party brands, though not its private-label items.
Target: Reports suggest Target carries Apeel-coated produce like avocados, cucumbers, and citrus.
Meijers: This retailer is known to stock certain Apeel-treated fruits, such as avocados and citrus.
Albertsons: This company and subsidiaries have carried Apeel items, though specific policies are not publicly available.
The Fresh Market: Consumers report seeing Apeel on avocados and citrus fruit at this retailer.
Giant: Carries produce from suppliers using the coating, though its private-brand products do not have Apeel.

Stores with Conflicting or Undisclosed Apeel Information

Some retailers offer unclear policies or lack public disclosure, making it difficult for consumers to confirm if their products have Apeel.

Whole Foods Market: While their global team avoids buying items with Apeel, they could not confirm this for all regional purchases.
Walmart: States its own brands are not treated, but cannot confirm for other suppliers. Consumer reports suggest Apeel-coated produce is found in their stores.
ALDI: Sources produce from suppliers using Apeel but lacks a public policy on the coating, leaving its presence in stores unclear.

Retailers with Public Policies Against Apeel

For those who prefer to avoid Apeel, several retailers have publicly committed to not sourcing produce with the coating.

Costco: Confirmed they have stopped selling and have no plans to resume selling any produce treated with Apeel.
Trader Joe's: Has ceased sourcing produce with Apeel.
Publix: Will not purchase produce treated with Apeel.
Natural Grocers: Publicly states they do not sell produce with Apeel.
Sprouts Farmers Markets: Decided not to carry any produce treated with Apeel.
Fresh Thyme: Does not source any Apeel-treated produce.
Wegman's: Does not source any produce treated with Apeel.

Comparison of Major Retailer Policies on Apeel


Retailer	Policy on Apeel-Treated Produce	Known to Carry Apeel?	Source Transparency	Latest Information (as of Q4 2025)
Kroger	Only third-party brands; private labels are Apeel-free.	Yes, some third-party produce.	Low for third-party brands.	Policy confirmed via consumer inquiries and past press releases.
Costco	Does not sell Apeel-coated produce.	No, confirmed discontinued.	High, public confirmation.	Corporate department confirmed discontinuation in 2025.
Walmart	Only third-party brands; store brands are Apeel-free.	Yes, some third-party produce.	Low for third-party brands.	Policy communicated through corporate and consumer reports.
Trader Joe's	No longer sources Apeel-coated produce.	No, policy change noted.	Moderate, though no official public statement.	Policy change confirmed by consumer reports.
Natural Grocers	Explicitly does not carry Apeel.	No.	High, public corporate statement.	Policy actively communicated.
Whole Foods	Global team avoids it; local policy is unclear.	Unclear, some conventional may have it.	Low, conflicting reports from regional buyers.	Regional policy is inconsistent.

How to Identify and Avoid Apeel-Treated Produce

Due to inconsistent labeling, especially on loose produce, vigilance is necessary.

Best Practices for Shoppers

Check the Label: Look for a small, green shield Apeel logo on stickers. Note this may not always be present on loose items.
Be Aware of Produce Type: Apeel is commonly used on avocados, organic apples, limes, and cucumbers in the US.
Prioritize Certified Organic or Local: Many local farmers and Certified Organic suppliers outside large distributors may not use Apeel.
Visit Retailers with Explicit Policies: Shopping at stores like Costco, Sprouts, or Natural Grocers is reliable for avoiding Apeel.
Inquire with Produce Staff: Ask store employees for confirmation on specific items or suppliers.

Conclusion

While Apeel helps combat food waste by extending produce shelf life, its availability varies significantly by store. Retailers like Kroger, Target, and Meijers may carry Apeel-treated items, often requiring shoppers to check labels. Conversely, stores such as Costco, Trader Joe's, and Natural Grocers have committed to avoiding Apeel. Staying informed about retailer policies and looking for labels are the best ways to navigate the presence of Apeel in grocery stores. For details on Apeel's technology, visit their official website.

Resources and Further Reading

For more information on the technology itself, Apeel's official website provides ingredient and safety details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stores that have publicly stated they do not use or carry Apeel-coated produce include Costco, Trader Joe's, Publix, Natural Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Fresh Thyme, Wegman's, and Jimbo's.

Kroger carries some produce items treated with Apeel, particularly from third-party suppliers. However, the company states that produce sold under its own private-label brands is not treated with the coating.

The most reliable way to identify Apeel-coated produce is by looking for the Apeel logo or sticker on the item or its packaging. However, this is not always consistently applied to loose produce.

Yes, Apeel has a version approved for use on USDA-certified organic produce. However, in some regions, like the UK, it is not permitted on organic products.

According to Apeel, the coating is designed to withstand normal washing and handling. While it can be removed with thorough scrubbing, it's unlikely to be removed completely.

Based on market availability, the most commonly treated items are avocados, certain apples (like gala and honeycrisp), cucumbers, and citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, and oranges.

Yes, stores like Walmart, ALDI, and Whole Foods have unclear or evolving policies. While they may state their own brands are Apeel-free, third-party supplier products might contain the coating, and transparency can vary by location.