Do You Know The Meaning Of The Numbers On Fruit Stickers? They Are More Important Than You Think...
By Michele
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PLU Codes are the Grown Up Name for Fruit Stickers. And, there is a 99% chance you never, ever look at them, much less know what they mean.
The 4-digit code is specific to each individual type of fruit. So, for example, all apples will have 4-digit codes which indicate the same things.
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So what do the numbers mean? A number of things, actually, depending on what the specific number combination is.
A 3 or 4 at the beginning has a meaning. It means that the fruit was 'conventionally grown', as opposed to other methods of growing fruit.
Fruit with a 9 at the beginning of the code are organically grown. Needless to say, most foodies are looking for the 9 at the beginning of a fruit sticker.
GMO Fruits begin with an 8. Ohhh those scary genetically modified fruits! Beware!
PLU Codes are optional So don't freak out if your latest haul does not have them, but you can't be so sure where, or how, it was grown if it is code-less fruit. Remember, know your labels!
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