Grāpple
Grāpple (/ˈɡreɪpəl/ GRAYP-əl)[1][2] is the registered brand name for a commercially marketed brand of Fuji or Gala apple that has been soaked in a solution of concentrated grape flavor (methyl anthranilate) and water in order to make the flesh taste like a Concord grape. This solution does not add additional sugars or caloric content, nor does it affect the nutritional value of a standard apple.[1] All ingredients are approved by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration, with the production process licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.[3]
Contrary to what the name implies, it is an externally flavored fruit product, not a true hybrid of two fruits.[4] The company's use of plastic clampshell packaging has received criticism, notably from a March 2019 investigation by CBC Marketplace.[5] Grāpple's use of plastic packaging was voted the most egregious example of excessive consumer plastic packaging in a 2019 Canadian poll conducted by Marketplace.
References
- "How Is A GrāpplePlus® Brand Apple Made?".
- The product packaging includes the subtitle Say "Grape-L"
- "Official Grapple Website". Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- Wainwright, Martin (2004-12-24). "Apple and grape give birth to Grapple". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- CBC Marketplace (2019-04-05). "Are these the most over-packaged products?" (video). CBC News.