Controversy surrounds Bill Gates-backed synthetic fruit and vegetable coating

 Apeel Sciences, founded by James Rogers in 2012, has developed Organipeel, a synthetic fungicide and coating designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The company has received early support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, though Gates is not directly involved in its current operations. Organipeel is applied as a thin, edible layer derived from plant-based materials, primarily designed to act as a barrier against moisture loss and oxidation. 

Organipeel is registered with the EPA as an antimicrobial pesticide, approved for post-harvest use on raw agricultural commodities. Despite this classification, it is also OMRI-listed, meaning it complies with National Organic Program (NOP) standards when used as directed. The OMRI listing was granted around 2019, coinciding with its EPA registration. However, the product has been discontinued in favor of newer formulations as of mid-2025.....<<<Read More>>>....