Why Michelle Pfeiffer’s Food Fight Will Have Every Aussie Paying Atten

The Invisible Coating on Your Fruit & Veg:

That’s the bombshell Hollywood’s own Michelle Pfeiffer dropped recently, and let’s just say, it’s caused more stir than a checkout queue at 5pm on a Sunday however first and foremost - this product is not in Australia, ON ORGANIC PRODUCE yet!

Pfeiffer, usually more about movies than markets, went on Instagram to slam a food technology called Apeel — a plant-based invisible coating for fruit and veg that was once backed by Bill Gates. Her message?

“Organic produce is no longer safe in the US.. [Apeel] is coated in something we cannot see or wash off. Very concerning.”

Michelle Pfeiffer vs. Apeel: The Short Version

The fuss?

Apeel is marketed as a plant-based, edible coating that helps fruit and veg last longer. Think: avocados that don’t go brown in a day, cucumbers that stay crisp for weeks.
It’s made from plant oils (mono- and diglycerides, if you like chemistry), and it’s been ticked off by the FDA in the US and the USDA for use on organic produce.
Bill Gates’s foundation threw Apeel some funding back in the early 2010s, but he’s no longer involved. Still, his name on anything food-related is like adding chilli to a stir-fry — things heat up fast.
Apeel says it’s safe, removable with a rinse, and helps reduce food waste. Critics say it’s invisible, it’s on organic produce, and no one’s telling you when you’re eating it.

Enter Pfeiffer, saying she’s personally sworn off organic produce that might be coated in it... personally -we couldn't agree more!

Cue the media storm!

Why Should We Care in Australia?

First and last ~ WE SHOULD - always!

And, here at Ozganics, we’ve been getting a few questions, so let’s clear the air.

OZGANICS does not use Apeel, OrganiPeel or any similar coatings on our products.

These substances are not approved for use on certified organic foods under Australian organic standards. Our commitment to clean, honest organic food means no hidden synthetic's — ever.

We’re proud to bring you food you can trust, made with certified organic ingredients and integrity in every jar.

We contacted the ACO - Australia's Leading Organic Certifier and received the follwoing feedback ~ "We have attempted to contact Apeel for a product specification sheet however have been unsuccessful so are unable to understand if it would be approved for use as a fungicide/post-harvest treatment in Australia. AOL are supportive of opportunities to naturally increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables to minimise food wastage. However, coating organic fruits and vegetables in an unknown product does not currently align with this mentality"

So then, Let's talk about "The Organic Grey Zone"

Did you know that right now in Australia, anyone can slap the word “organic” on a label — with no legal requirement to prove it? Yep. If you can argue it meets the vibe of organic, you can technically market it that way. Certified organic producers go through the wringer with strict standards, but plenty of products with barely a whiff of organic content slide under the radar.

We are literally the last developed country still without a mandatory, legally enforced definition of “organic" HOWEVER if you look for the Certified Organic Logo - you know exactly what you are buying "Is Organic"

Invisible Additives = Invisible Accountability

Our food labelling is overseen by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand), and yes, it covers the basics, allergens, ingredients, nutrition info. But here’s the problem: coatings like Apeel aren’t always considered “ingredients”, so they don’t have to appear on the label.

So in theory, a cucumber here could get treated with something invisible, not count as an “ingredient,” and you’d never know.

Where Ozganics Stands

This is exactly why, at Ozganics, we’ve always believed in keeping things simple, clean, and completely transparent.

Certified Organic: We’re proud to have been one of Australia’s original certified organic food companies, operating since 1999.
Non-GMO: Our products are made without genetically modified ingredients.
Allergy-Friendly: We’re 100% gluten free, dairy free, and free from common allergens — making our food safe for families with specific dietary needs.
Zero Hidden Coatings or Additives: What you see is what you get. No invisible films. No sneaky post-harvest treatments.

In other words: if it’s not on the label, it’s not in the jar. We’ve built 25+ years of trust by sticking to that principle.

A Final Word (and a Little Perspective)

The Michelle Pfeiffer story may sound like Hollywood gossip — an actress sparring with a Gates-backed food tech. But behind the celebrity sparkle is a very real issue: food transparency.

If you’re paying extra for organic, you deserve to know exactly what you’re getting. You shouldn’t need a science degree, a magnifying glass, and a truth serum to shop for fruit and vegtables.

So next time you’re in the produce aisle, remember: not all “organic” is created equal. Ask questions. Read labels. Support the brands that don’t hide behind fine print — or invisible coatings.

At Ozganics, we’ve been walking that talk since 1999. Organic. Non‑GMO. Gluten and dairy free. And above all, transparent. Because trust shouldn’t be optional when it comes to the food you feed your family.

And if you ever catch me posting about cucumbers on Instagram like Michelle Pfeiffer, you’ll know things have really gotten serious.