What is the Meaning Behind Numbers on Fruit Stickers?

Have you ever noticed the tiny, glossy stickers applied to the grocery store’s vegetables and fruits? If so, what are these stickers’ functions, and what information do they contain? Well, those numerical codes actually reveal a lot of information about the product and how they have been manufactured. Let us decode the digits.

PLU code meaning

PLU refers to ‘Price look-up’. Commonly called PLU codes, PLU numbers are basically a system of numbers that are found on the little stickers on fruits and vegetables. They’re placed by the stores themselves, but are generated by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS).

Why Do Fruits Have Labels on Them?

A big reason to put stickers on fruits is so we can easily track them. As we trade more fresh fruits and vegetables worldwide, it’s essential to have a way to follow them from the farm to the hands of the final consumer. The stickers generally have a 4 number code. This is used to know what kind of fruit it is, which is the country of its origin and who grows or sells them. This information helps in tracking the fruit’s details, if there’s a problem with food safety.

Another reason for stickers on fruits is to help sell and identify its brands. The stickers might have the name or symbol of the farmer or seller on them. This can help people know more about the brand. 

Stickers can also inform customers about the weight or cost of fruit and if it’s organic or not. This data can help customers to make better buying choices. India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has started an effort to encourage using PLU labels on fruit and veggie foods. The initiative seeks to encourage the usage of organic fruits and vegetables while giving customers accurate and trustworthy information about the fruits and vegetables they buy.

Logic Behind the four-digit code

The four-digit designation indicates that the fruit or vegetable was cultivated conventionally and contains pesticides. Usually, these codes start with three or four. To establish a consistent code among shops, the IFPS standardised these codes.

What produce is organic?

If the produce has a five-digit number starting with 9, it indicates that it complies with USDA organic requirements and is organic. These produce items cost a little extra money.

What are these stickers made of?

The PLU stickers are often composed of vinyl, paper, or plastic. The FDA views the sticker adhesive as a food-grade ingredient. According to reports, the stickers are inedible but digestible. Despite the FDA’s approval, the adhesive used on PLU labels contains some compounds harmful to human health, including rubber chlorides and several types of polymers.

How to Remove the Sticker from the Fruit?

The easiest way to remove them is through the scotch tape trick that is handy and will not bruise sensitive fruits, like mangoes, peaches, or apricots. You must cover the sticker with scotch tape and remove it all in one go. 

Conclusion 

Now we know the secret behind the use of stickers on fruits in grocery stores and the importance of the PLU code. These stickers not only provide information about their origin or if they were grown or organic they also help maintain a standard. As world trade grows, these codes made by the IFPS help track things. Even though some worry about the health effects of sticker glue, groups like APEDA and India’s Ministry of Agriculture try hard to keep an eye on health safety.