Famed actress Michelle Pfeiffer has launched a surprising critique of billionaire Bill Gates, accusing him of intentions to taint America’s food supply.
In a highly uncommon move for the usually private star, Pfeiffer took to Instagram on Thursday, voicing her worries about the FDA’s endorsement of Apeel, a Gates-supported food coating product designed to prolong the freshness of produce.
‘Apeel (an edible, plant-based coating created to lengthen the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables) just received approval, and now “organic” produce is covered with a substance that is both invisible and unremovable,’ Pfeiffer stated.
‘Very concerning.’
The Scarface star, 67, wrote the message as she shared a video that claimed ‘organic produce is no longer safe’ after ‘Bill Gates’ Apeel just approved for USDA-certified organic.’
Apeel has long been mired in controversy over its ingredients and association with Gates.
The company was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur James Rogers with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Gates’ are not currently involved in Apeel, which has received substantial backing from venture capitalist Andreessen Horowitz.
Michelle Pfeiffer warned her fans about the FDA ‘s approval of Apeel, a Gates-backed coating meant to extend the shelf life of produce
The company received early developmental support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2012 and again in 2015. However, the Gates have currently no involvement in Apeel
Despite Pfeiffer’s comments, Apeel claims on its website that their coatings can be washed by rinsing the produce with water and scrubbing it
Pfeiffer’s comments might come as a shock to her fans, as the Batman Returns icon is famed for living a quiet life and avoiding the type of controversial declarations often made by many of her Hollywood peers.
Apeel responded by saying it was ‘both disappointing and concerning to see a public figure like Michelle Pfeiffer use her platform to spread disinformation about our company, our mission, and the work of our employees.’
They added: ‘To set the record straight: Bill Gates is not now, nor has he ever been, a shareholder in Apeel Sciences.
‘Additionally, our products have been reviewed and allowed on the market in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. National Organic Program requirements for nearly eight years—not recently, as Ms. Pfeiffer’s post suggests,’ Jenny Du, co-founder of Apeel and senior vice president of operations, said in a statement.
Also, the company claimed that their coatings can be washed by rinsing the produce with water and scrubbing it.
‘Apeel uses plant lipids or plant oils naturally found in fruits and vegetables and creates a coating applied to the surface of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to retain moisture and reduce oxidation,’ Du told the Associated Press. ‘Our product is also intended to be edible.’
Pfeiffer’s comments might come as a shock to her fans, as the actress is known to stay away from controversial topics
The coating consists of purified monoglycerides and diglycerides, which Du pointed out are also found in products such as infant formula.
The company has said their coating technology can help reduce post-harvest food waste in developing countries and is ultimately aimed at combatting famine and hunger.
Gates has found himself mired in multiple controversies in recent years.
An outlandish conspiracy theory that circulated at the height of the COVID pandemic claimed he had secreted 5G microchips inside COVID vaccines.
There’s no evidence to support such claims and The Gates Foundation dismissed them as nonsense.
More damagingly, Gates has faced prolonged heat over his friendship with the late pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Melinda cited that closeness as part of the reason she divorced her husband.
Bill has said he deeply regrets making friends with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019, and there has never been any suggestion of wrongdoing on his part.
Pfeiffer’s warning about Apeel comes as she has been promoting a new project with Elle Fanning.
Apeel uses plant lipids or plant oils naturally found in fruits and vegetables and creates a coating applied ‘to retain moisture and reduce oxidation’
Michelle has been married to writer and producer David E. Kelley, 69, for 31 years; pictured in April 2024
The two play a mother-daughter duo on the forthcoming AppleTV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles.
The actress has been married to writer and producer David E. Kelley, 69, for 31 years and they’re working together on the project.
The show is based on Rufi Thorpe’s novel of the same name. Kelley created the eight-part show with A24.
Pfeiffer, Fanning and Nicole Kidman (who also has an acting role in the show) are executive producing.
Fanning portrays Margo Millet, the daughter of a Hooters waitress, played Pfeiffer, and a former professional wrestler, played by Nick Offerman.
