In 1949 a global trade association representing the produce supply chain from seed producer to grocer was established. This Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is affiliated with the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), which developed the numbering system of PLU codes currently in use to identify produce sold at the retail level. These PLU (Price Look-Up codes) are those identification numbers tagged onto produce and other products in grocery and supermarket stores.
Their reason for being is to make inventory control easier and more accurate. Check-out of purchases is also expedited as PLU codes read by computers eliminate the need for checkers to ensure they input the correct variety and price of the product. PLUs can also identify the individual retailer, or location, and can be used in place of barcodes for a variety of reasons. As of 2008, there were some 1300 universal PLU codes in use (IFPS, 2008). The PLU numbers break down the produce’s identification into its type, its variety and whether it is organically grown according to the standards of the National Organic Standards Board. A special PLU prefix also identifies genetically modified foods.
How Organically Grown Produce is Coded on a PLU Label
Most consumers have struggled with removing the PLU tags or stickers without realizing that the PLU codes can actually make finding genuine organic produce much easier.
Organically grown produce will have a PLU code with the prefix 9. Thus the code for bananas is 4011 and the organic banana will carry the code 94011.
How Genetically Modified Produce is Coded on a PLU label
As already stated, the code for bananas is 4011. A genetically engineered/modified banana would be labeled with the prefix 8, so that the PLU tag would read 84011.
Looking at the PLU code for vine-ripened tomatoes, one can see just how easy avoiding GM Foods can be. An organically grown, vine-ripened tomato would have the code 94805; its evil, genetically-modified twin would be tagged with 84805. A vine-ripened tomato which fit neither category would be tagged 4805.
Now, knowing the difference between organic and GM produce before consumers spend their hard-earned money is as easy as looking at the prefix for the 9 and the 8. In addition, by watching for the absence of either the 8 or 9, which means the produce is neither organically grown or genetically modified, they can also recognize traditionally grown produce.
Articles of Interest:
Genetically Modified Organism Fears a Reality
Source:
International Federation for Produce Standards PLU Code User’s Guide
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