Deciphering Produce Codes
Have you ever wondered what those numbers mean on the produce at the grocery store? They aren't just random numbers used to make the cashier's life easier. There is a method to the madness!
Most stores use the same PLU (price lookup code) for produce and bulk products. Dr. Mercola shares some clues as to what those codes mean. The code for conventionally grown produce consists of four numbers (much like what is listed here). Alternatively, conventional produce will sometimes have five numbers for the PLU with the first number a zero. Any produce that is organically grown will also have the same four numbers as the conventionally grown produce, but the PLU code will be five numbers long with the first number a 9. For example, the PLU for conventional bananas is 4011. Organic bananas would be coded 94011. Furthermore, if the produce is genetically modified or genetically engineered, the preceeding fifth number would be an 8. In the banana example, the PLU code for GM bananas would be 84011.
The International Federation for Produce Standards has worked diligently to ensure the same coding system is used for produce. Their guidelines state
Dr. Mercola advises to avoid any produce that is genetically modified and labeled with a five digit PLU code starting with the number eight. He states on his website that consumers should
Do you want to test your PLU code knowledge? Take this fun quiz and see how much you know!
Most stores use the same PLU (price lookup code) for produce and bulk products. Dr. Mercola shares some clues as to what those codes mean. The code for conventionally grown produce consists of four numbers (much like what is listed here). Alternatively, conventional produce will sometimes have five numbers for the PLU with the first number a zero. Any produce that is organically grown will also have the same four numbers as the conventionally grown produce, but the PLU code will be five numbers long with the first number a 9. For example, the PLU for conventional bananas is 4011. Organic bananas would be coded 94011. Furthermore, if the produce is genetically modified or genetically engineered, the preceeding fifth number would be an 8. In the banana example, the PLU code for GM bananas would be 84011.
The International Federation for Produce Standards has worked diligently to ensure the same coding system is used for produce. Their guidelines state
PLU codes have been used by supermarkets since 1990 to make check-out and inventory control easier, faster, and more accurate. Fresh fruit and vegetable PLU codes are used to identify bulk produce (and related items such as nuts and herbs).
Dr. Mercola advises to avoid any produce that is genetically modified and labeled with a five digit PLU code starting with the number eight. He states on his website that consumers should
avoid hybrid varieties, which are fruits that have been altered by humans. Typically hybrid fruits contain more sugar than regular varieties so they taste sweeter and can be picked out because generally they don't contain seeds (seedless watermelon, seedless grapes, etc.). Although there are also seeded hybrid varieties, avoiding seedless fruits is one of the more prominent ways to avoid hybrid fruits.
Do you want to test your PLU code knowledge? Take this fun quiz and see how much you know!
posted by www.frunchymama.com at
8:43 PM
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