Actress Michelle Pfeiffer issued a rare public statement on Thursday raising concerns about Apeel, a plant-based coating for produce that was developed with early funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Michelle Pfeiffer launches attack on Bill Gates over ‘Concerning’ FDA Approval.

She suggests that the billionaire is plotting to contaminate the country’s food supply. pic.twitter.com/7i9PMhKXio

— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) July 11, 2025

Pfeiffer took to Instagram to voice alarm over the product’s recent approval for use on USDA-certified organic fruits and vegetables.

“Apeel (an edible, plant-based coating designed to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables) was just approved and now ‘organic’ produce is coated in something we cannot see or wash off,” Pfeiffer, 67, wrote in an Instagram post. “Very concerning.”

Pfeiffer also shared a video warning that “organic produce is no longer safe” due to the approval of Apeel for use on certified organic goods.

Her post has drawn significant attention, particularly because the actress is known for avoiding public controversy and rarely engages in political or health-related debates.

Apeel, developed by company founder James Rogers in 2012, began with a $100,000 grant from the Gates Foundation.

The product aims to reduce food waste by extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables through a coating derived from plant lipids.

The Gates Foundation is no longer involved with the company, which is now backed by firms such as Andreessen Horowitz.

Jenny Du, co-founder and senior vice president of operations at Apeel, explained the product’s purpose in an interview with the Associated Press.

“Our product is also intended to be edible,” Du said, adding that Apeel uses purified monoglycerides and diglycerides, substances that are also found in infant formula and other food products.

According to Apeel, the coating is designed to reduce oxidation and retain moisture, helping fresh produce last longer.

The company also claims that the coating can be removed by rinsing and scrubbing the produce with water, though some critics question how feasible or effective that process is.

Apeel has faced growing scrutiny in recent years, with skepticism fueled in part by its past association with Bill Gates.

While unfounded conspiracy theories have circulated online—such as false claims linking Gates to microchips in COVID-19 vaccines—the concern surrounding Apeel is primarily centered on food labeling and consumer choice, particularly in the organic sector.

Pfeiffer’s comments have added a high-profile voice to that ongoing debate.

Her statement comes during a period of renewed public visibility as she promotes a new project for AppleTV+, a series titled Margo’s Got Money Troubles.

Pfeiffer stars alongside Elle Fanning and Nick Offerman in the adaptation of Rufi Thorpe’s novel.

Pfeiffer plays a Hooters waitress and mother to Fanning’s character, Margo Millet. Offerman plays the father, a former professional wrestler.

The series, created by Pfeiffer’s husband David E. Kelley, also includes Nicole Kidman among its executive producers.

Pfeiffer and Kelley have been married for 31 years and are working together on the eight-part A24-produced show, marking a rare professional collaboration for the longtime couple.

While Pfeiffer’s remarks about Apeel mark an unusual foray into the public debate over food safety and regulatory transparency, her message has resonated with many consumers who share concerns about the labeling and treatment of organic produce.

The FDA and USDA have approved Apeel for use on certified organic produce, but critics continue to question whether consumers are being adequately informed about what is being applied to their food.