Produce Codes - What Do They Mean?

Produce is marked with a number code that reveals what kind of produce you are buying.

If there is a 5 number code starting in 9 it is organic.

If there is a 5 number code starting in 8 it is genetically modified.

If there is a 4 number code starting in 4 it is conventional.

If there is a 4 number code starting in 3 it is irradiated.

Don't just go by the names on the signs... check the numbers on the tags. That is what tells you the real story.

Thanks to Nancy for this tip.

How to tell if fruit is organic or genetically modified?

If you are becoming increasingly more aware of the value of organically grown food and the dangers of genetically modified food, then you might also have experienced not being able to tell them apart in the grocery store.

It's not like they have little signs on them that say, "I'm organically grown," or "I'm genetically modified."

Or do they?

Actually, they do.

Each piece of fruit or vegetable has a little label on it with a number. These numbers are the "price look up" or PLU codes.

Each fruit has a four digit number assigned to it. If the label has a five digit number on it that starts with "9" then it is organic. If the five digit number starts with an "8" then it is genetically modified. You can find an alphabetical list of codes here.

Check it out. Once you know this little trick, it doesn't matter if all the apples are in one bin, you can easily pick out the organic ones.