Do you know what was the PLU Code on fruits & vegetable you have purchased today ?
You might have seen the sticker with code on any fruits and vegetable at the time of grocery shopping. Have you ever wondered what is this for? Why stickers has different numbers with 4 digits and 5 digits?
Most of the time we never think about it as we understand its for pricing and inventory purpose, right?
You are not completely wrong. The PLU code is also used for pricing and inventory purpose. But it also disclosed some important information about the products growing process. Surprised ?? The below information of the PLU code would surprised you and next time when you buy, you would definitely like to see the sticker and its number on the products and help you to decide what should you buy.
Here is some interesting information about sticker number on the fruits and vegetables.
When you buy a piece of fruit or vegetable at the grocery store, you would see a small sticker on the skin with numbers. These vegetable and fruit sticker numbers often have some important information about the that fruits & vegetable.
The number is called a PLU code, or a Price-Lookup Code. This code used not only for pricing for cashier and better inventory control for the store but also reveal about the products itself, like how its grown, picked etc.. in other words we can say its unravel the mystery of fruit and vegetable specifics. Below are some more information about PLU code.
Most of the the PLU codes with 4 digits code and 5 digits code. If the 4 digits code starts with 3- or 4-digits code, like for an example 3011 or 4055. Or If the 5 digits code starts with 9- or 8-digits code, like for an example 95540 or 85440. Its not only represent the size of the products but also represents how its grown.
The code is a four-digit number, beginning with a “3” or a “4“, which identifies the type of bulk produce, including the variety. In this case, the produce is conventionally grown, i.e. produced with chemical fertilizers, herbicides or fungicides. Conventionally grown means synthetic fertilizers and pesticides were used to promote growth and prevent disease.
PLU code stickers that have 5-digits number and start with “8” may be applied to produce that was genetically modified (GMO). Genetically modified means it has genes from other organisms. Another term for this is bioengineered foods.
PLU stickers that have 5-digits and start with a “9” are applied to produce that was raised organically and therefore was not treated with any chemicals. Organically grown means natural fertilizers were used instead of synthetic chemicals.
So, the next time you pick up that kiwi, melon, apple or banana, check out the numbering system. Is it conventionally or organically grown? Or, is it a result of genetic engineering? It’s all in the number.
Little more on Product Look- Up number:
Its began in the mid-1980s . As use of PLU codes grew, the numbers became standardized around 1990 under the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS). And starting to be used it worldwide.
PLU codes have been used by supermarkets since the 1990s to help checkers identify fruits and vegetables so they can charge the correct price and maintain better inventory control.
How are codes assigned?
When a new variety of fruit or vegetable is created that a grower or manufacturer thinks should have its own number, they can apply for a PLU (applications cost $1,000 for IFPS members; $2,000 for non-members). An IFPS committee meets electronically, four times a year, to decide which applications should be accepted and which shouldn't. The main requirement is that the product has to be sold by at least three retailers with 25 locations or more. Letters of support from the retailers are also asked for.
There are now almost some 1,400 codes in use. Stickers comes in various design : manufacturers are free to come up with their own designs. It should also have as much contrast as possible, with black lettering on a white background considered ideal. There is no maximum size for the font.
Can you eat the stickers?
The short answer is NO. The adhesive used to stick the PLU onto the fruit or vegetable is edible but NOT the sticker itself.
They're just going to go right through you, they're not going to break down in your system. They are regulated by the health authorities in the countries, so here it would be Health Canada. If you eat them, there's absolutely no harm, but not advisable and should be removed before eating the fruits or vegetable, you purchased.
(Source: CBC.ca and soscuisine.com)
Thanks for reading!
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