What is in a PLU Code?
If you’re looking at produce and you want to know whether it’s conventionally grown or certified organic, your grocery store should label them accordingly, but if not, the Product Look Up or PLU code on its sticker can tell you.
Many companies avoid using the 8 prefix on GMO produce because they’re worried about backlash from customers (and because they are not mandatory.) If you’re worried about GMO produce, buying “certified organic” is the only way to make sure you don’t get it. PLU codes are universal, and one on the Gala apples at a store in Washington DC (#4133) is the same code that’ll you’ll see in Los Angeles. You can actually look up codes individually at PLUCodes.com to learn more about the fruit or veggie in question. Here are several common ones:
· Organic produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 9.
· Conventional produce has a 4 digit PLU number that begins with the number 4.
· Genetically modified (GMO) produce has a 5 digit PLU number that begins with the number 8.