If you haven’t already, take a closer look at those little sticky labels on the fruit and vegetables you buy at the grocery store. Those numbers provide important information regarding just how the produce was grown. So even is something is marked as organic, the sticker will reassure you that it is.
If the label has:
- 4 digits only: The produce was grown in a conventional manner which means with pesticides and other petroleum based chemicals or fertilizers.
- 8 + 4 digits: This produce is genetically modified, a GMO. It contains genes that were put there by someone else other than Mother Nature.
- 9 + 4 digits: This produce has been grown following organic farming practices.
In other words try this for a creative, (or perhaps hokey), attempt to remember:
4 in the store means pesticides knocking at my door.
8 is not at all great with all those GMO’s that I hate.
9 is fresh and fine. Organic and healthy for me and mine.
Now to dovetail the Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, also known as the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list, here’s a handy chart I put together for an easier reference.
| Label Number | EWG Shopper’s Guide |
| 4 digits only = Conventional | Clean 15: Lowest in PesticidesOnions, Avocado, Sweet Onions, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon |
| 8 + 4 digits = GMO | Absolutely Nothing! Nada! Zip! Zero! |
| 9 + 4 digits = Organic | Dirty Dozen – Best to Buy OrganicCelery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Kale, Potato, Grapes (Imported) |
| No label or not sure | EWG Full List: 49 Fruits/Veggies |
So don’t go bananas trying to keep up with all this information. Feel free to copy the chart if it will help you on your next trip. And keep these homemade recipes and tips in mind too when it’s time to clean your fruit.
What other kinds of things do you do?
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Such great information-thanks so much! I honestly had no idea what the codes meant. I’m off to share this…..
Hey thanks Lori! Appreciate the feedback! Let me know if you find 8 + in your stores…I have not found in my big box grocery chain but always on the lookout!
I’ll have to take a closer look at this in my grocery store. From what I understood, the apples I buy (organic) have 5 numbers. I’ve never noticed any longer numbers plus 4, but then again…I’ve never known to look! Thanks for the info!!
To clarify, for organic it is the number 9 then 4 other digits for a total of five numbers. Likewise for a GMO product, the number 8, then 4 digits. Conventional grown produce always has four numbers only. For more information you can search PLU codes at:
http://www.plucodes.com/search_wizard.aspx?s=1. Thanks!
I had no idea there was a way to identify genetically modified food in the grocery store. Do you mind if I ask you where you learned this? I’d like to know more! –Shanon @ http://www.foodfarmhealth.ca.
Through my research, I checked into http://www.plucodes.com and checked out the User Guide – see page 7.
I have yet to find GMO produce in my stores but kind of a good thing to be aware of. Hope this helps!
Wow this is really interesting.. I had no idea. Now the grocery store trips are going to take me twice as long!
While we’re on the topic, yesterday was the first time I had seen “ripe” stickers on things in the produce section. I haven’t noticed any GMO products yet, either.
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