Monday, August 18, 2008

Cracking The Produce Codes

You know those aggravating little sticker we must peel off the fruit we buy? They have secret codes on them.
These are PLU codes. Price Look Up code.
This 4-5 digit code is used by cashiers in order to obtain the price or classify the type of produce.
These codes can tell us whether food is organic or genetically engineered.

Conventional Produce: a four digit code: 4011
Organic: 9 is added to the front of the regular PLU code: 94011
Genetically engineered: 8 is added to the front of the regular PLU code: 84011

Example:
4139: Conventional Granny Smith apple
94139: Organic Granny Smith
84139: GMO Granny Smith

Search Your PLU Code

Today, 7 out of every 10 items on grocery stores shelves contain ingredients that have been genetically modified. To learn more about food safety, GM (genetically modified) foods and what's wrong with them, and what you can do bring about changes: Organic Consumers Association Campaigning for food safety, organic agriculture, fair trade and sustainability.