Key Takeaways
- Michelle Pfeiffer criticized Apeel Sciences’ food spray, claiming it is unwashable.
- Stores like Costco and Trader Joe’s do not use the product on produce.
- Apeel cofounder confirmed the spray is edible and composed of ingredients found in fruits and vegetables.
Actress Voices Concerns Over Food Safety
Michelle Pfeiffer recently expressed her concerns about Apeel Sciences, a food technology company that previously had backing from Bill Gates. On July 10, 2025, Pfeiffer took to Instagram to label the company’s FDA-approved edible food spray, designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, as “concerning” and impossible to wash off.
Pfeiffer highlighted stores that do not utilize Apeel’s spray, including Costco, Trader Joe’s, Publix, and Natural Grocers. She emphasized that organic produce is now coated in a substance that consumers cannot see or easily remove.
The New York Post reported on July 11, 2025, that while Bill Gates had initially supported Apeel Sciences, this connection has ended. The company was founded in 2012 by CEO James Rogers, who received nearly $1.1 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at that time. Presently, Apeel is receiving support from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Addressing the controversy, Jenny Du, cofounder of Apeel Sciences, defended the product in a June 3, 2025, interview with Food & Wine, asserting that the ingredients in their food sprays are naturally found in the peels of fruits and vegetables. Du reassured the public that the products are both edible and washable, claiming their innovative approach does not alter the natural origins of the ingredients.
In a related note, Bill Gates has also been vocal about his investments in plant-based meat alternatives, suggesting that such products could help reduce methane emissions associated with livestock. In a January 2023 Reddit Q&A, Gates mentioned backing companies like Memphis Meats (now Upside Foods), Impossible Foods, and Beyond Meat, with the hope that these innovations will lead to improved plant-based options.
During a podcast in September 2023, Gates reiterated his belief that plant-based food is the future and highlighted the role of cattle farming and fertilizers in environmental challenges. This aligns with his philanthropic focus and ongoing commitment to address climate change through sustainable practices.
Gates, who stepped down as Microsoft’s chairman in 2014, remains a technology advisor and is dedicated to leveraging his foundation to foster improvements across various sectors.
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