Apeel Sciences Battles Misinformation Maelstrom in Food Tech Arena
Apeel Sciences, a California-based company pioneering plant-derived coatings to extend the shelf life of fresh produce, has found itself embroiled in a legal battle against the rising tide of online misinformation. The company’s innovative technology, designed to combat food waste and enhance produce longevity, has become the target of conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated claims, forcing Apeel to take legal action against a prominent online influencer.
The lawsuit, filed in August 2025 against Robyn Openshaw, also known as “Green Smoothie Girl,” alleges that Openshaw published over 60 posts across various social media platforms containing false and defamatory statements about Apeel’s products. These posts, spanning from July 2023 to May 2025, claimed that Apeel’s coatings contained harmful heavy metals like palladium, mercury, and arsenic. Openshaw further encouraged her followers to boycott Apeel-treated produce, urging major retailers like Costco and suppliers like Driscoll’s to discontinue using the product. She even offered a downloadable “wallet card” listing stores that supposedly avoid Apeel products, amplifying the reach of her misinformation campaign.
Openshaw is not the only voice fueling the anti-Apeel narrative. Numerous smaller social media accounts have echoed similar claims, and even actress Michelle Pfeiffer inadvertently shared inaccurate information about the company, mistakenly linking it to Bill Gates. Pfeiffer later issued a public correction, acknowledging the dissemination of outdated and inaccurate information and clarifying Gates’ lack of ownership or involvement in Apeel. This incident highlights the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age and the potential for even well-intentioned individuals to contribute to the problem.
The misinformation campaign against Apeel extends beyond online influencers and celebrities, reaching the political arena. Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman expressed concerns about the involvement of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which provided research grants to Apeel in 2012 and 2015. Stutzman questioned Apeel’s transparency about its ingredient list and introduced the Apeel Reveal Act (HR 4737), seeking mandatory disclosure of certain product coatings on fruits and vegetables. This bill, ironically, aims to compel Apeel to reveal information it already openly shares.
The misinformation surrounding Apeel appears to stem from a case of mistaken identity involving an industrial cleaning product from a UK company, Evans Vanodine, which also uses the name “Apeel.” Despite Apeel’s transparency about its plant-based ingredients, the confusion persists, fueled by online influencers circulating the ingredient list of the industrial cleaner. Apeel has invested significant resources in marketing and public relations to combat this misinformation, but the battle continues.
The impact of this misinformation campaign is tangible. Several regional retailers, including PCC, Sprouts, and Publix, have responded to customer concerns by instructing distributors to avoid Apeel-treated produce. While many of these retailers likely acknowledge the safety of Apeel’s product, they are struggling to counteract the pervasive misinformation on social media. Educating consumers about complex scientific concepts in a digital environment saturated with dubious information presents a significant challenge for both retailers and food technology companies.
Apeel’s lawsuit against Openshaw represents a critical test case in the fight against online misinformation. The company is attempting to hold accountable those who spread false and damaging claims, setting a potential precedent for future cases. In an era where misinformation permeates even government discourse, Apeel faces an uphill battle. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact how companies navigate the complex landscape of online reputation management and consumer trust in the face of viral falsehoods. The food technology sector, in particular, stands to be significantly affected by the precedent set in this case, as innovative companies like Apeel strive to introduce sustainable solutions amidst a climate of skepticism and readily available misinformation. The challenge lies in balancing free speech with the need to protect businesses from malicious and damaging falsehoods propagated through social media and other online platforms. This case may well determine the future viability of combating online misinformation through legal channels and could shape the way companies protect their brand reputations in the digital age.
