What does the number on my fruit mean?

A 4 digit code – means your fruit was conventionally raised. If you don’t see a label with 5 digits it is safe to assume your fruit has been grown with pesticides and chemicals in nutrient depleted soil. A 5 digit code (starting with the number 8) – means your fruit has been genetically modified.

What do numbers on fruit labels mean?

The four- or five-digit numbers identify the produce, indicating size, growing method, type of food (apple or orange for instance) and variety (such as a Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious apple). The voluntary labels tell you whether you are purchasing organic or conventionally grown produce.

What does 4173 mean on fruit?

Here is the PLU of a Gala Apple I am eating. APPLES (4173)Variety: Royal Gala.

How do you read fruit labels?

How to read produce labels

  1. FOUR DIGIT NUMBERS (they all begin with 3 or 4) denote conventionally grown, non-GMO produce (that is, grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers and not genetically modified)
  2. FIVE DIGITS BEGINNING WITH AN 8 means the produce is GMO, genetically modified.

What does a PLU code starting with 3 mean?

A four-digit code beginning with a 3 or a 4 means the produce is probably conventionally grown. For example, regular small lemons sold in the U.S. are labeled 4033, large are 4053; small organic lemons are coded 94033, large are 94053.

Are PLU codes everywhere?

PLU stands for Price Look-Up, a numbering system that has been used by supermarkets on produce items since 1990 for easier checkout, accurate inventory control and categorizing types of produce. All stores use the same codes.

What does the code 4011 mean on a banana?

If you buy a banana with a four-digit code (4011 is the code for bananas) on the sticker, that banana was conventionally grown with the use of pesticides. All conventionally grown produce will have stickers with four digits.

What are the stickers on fruit for?

Most fruit and veggies have stickers on them, and many of these stickers don’t just feature the brand name, but also a cryptic number. These numbers are codes, and they divulge info like whether something was grown organically or not, whether it was genetically modified, etc.

What is PLU code starting with 3?

How do you read a produce code?

How to Read Produce Codes

  1. 4-digit code: The produce was conventionally or traditionally grown.
  2. 5-digit code and begins with an 8: The produce was genetically modified and is not organic.
  3. 5-digit code and begins with a 9: The produce was organically grown and is not genetically modified.

How do you remember PLU codes?

Make flash cards to help you memorize produce codes. You can use pictures or the name of the produce, depending on how you learn better. The trick is to learn not only what code goes to what item, but to be able to name an item when you see the code. Spend extra time on memorizing codes to similar items.

Do all grocery stores have the same codes?

What do the numbers start with on fruit?

Four numbers, beginning with a 3 or a 4 If your fruit or vegetable was made with conventional farming techniques, then you’ll find a four-digit code that starts with a three or a four. Five numbers, beginning with an 8 A five-digit code starting with an eight means that the item is genetically modified.

Is there a PLU number that starts with 3?

Plu# starting with 4 or 3 is conventional produce (Conventional codes are four digit numbers, currently in the 3000-4000 range).

What’s the four digit code on a banana?

If you buy a banana with a four-digit code (4011 is the code for bananas) on the sticker, that banana was conventionally grown with the use of pesticides. All conventionally grown produce will have stickers with four digits. 2. Organic produce stickers have five digits and start with ‘9’

How can you tell if a fruit has a PLU code?

By reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides. Be a savvy shopper by using PLU codes to confirm how your produce was created. Here are the basics:

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