Wax on Apples

Stemilt applies a thin layer of food-grade wax to all of our conventional apple varieties in order to reduce dehydration and maintain the fruit’s crisp texture. All apples have natural wax that is, unfortunately, washed off during the fruit during the packing process. Because this wax protects the fruit, we apply a thin layer of food-grade wax to conventional apples.

The natural wax added to protect Stemilt's Washington-grown apples is usually carnauba or shellac. Both are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and have been used on a variety of foods for decades. These wax formulations are natural, non-petroleum based coatings.

For additional information on wax, please contact your Stemilt representative.