Labels provide a wealth of information, from nutritional information on products sold in grocery stores to safety warnings on cleaning products.
One type of label—fruit stickers readily available in most grocery stores—offers very useful information. That is their meaning.
Fruit stickers with numbers like 9
Most people are aware that grocery store products with barcodes help cashiers determine how much an item should cost. But the numbers on the fruit stickers do more than just tell the machine what to do. For example, fruit labels with five-digit numbers beginning with 9 indicate that the food was organically grown.
Eighth
The number eight is another example. Fruit stickers with 5-digit codes starting with 8 indicate that the product has undergone genetic modification. However, GMO foods are controversial as some people have expressed concerns about the link between allergies or other health problems and GMO foods. In addition, less is known about the consequences in the future, and scientists are still assessing long-term health effects.
Due to the limited availability of GO meals, they are therefore uncommon.
A four-digit code
Finally, foods that have a 4-digit code beginning with 3 or 4 are not organically grown. It is more likely that it was “conventionally grown”.
Definition of conventional growth
Most people have heard the phrase “organic” when discussing vegetables and associate it with being healthier or higher in nutrients.
However, studies have not revealed any nutritional difference between conventional and organic farming practices. The main difference between conventional and organic farming is the method of fertilization. Compost and other organic waste are used to treat organic crops against weeds, either mechanically or biologically. Conventional approaches, on the other hand, use artificial herbicides and fertilizers. The environmental impacts of conventional food growing technologies and potential health risks in the future were discussed. According to Dr. Fertilizers—both synthetic and organic—were “federally regulated,” according to Atlanta-based Tamik D. Sims, Georgia’s senior director of food technology communications.
Dr. The Sims provides the details
Dr. Sims continues, “I think the numbers on fruit labels that indicate organically grown produce shouldn’t be as important as eating a well-balanced and varied diet for a healthier life.”
Fruit sticker numbers indicate the system
Fruit stickers have numbers on them that inform the cashier of the correct price and, depending on the number of digits, also tell customers how the product was grown.
In addition, the number of digits is important.
Along with the size and type of food purchased, a 4- or 5-digit number identifies the location and method of growing the food. However, on fruit labels, the “internationally standardized system” does not apply if the number is greater than five digits.
What is the International Standards System?
When the system was introduced in the 1990s, fruit and vegetables were given labels.
Then group them by code to ensure a high standard. IFPS has been allocated almost 1400 codes.
However, all fruit and vegetables sold in supermarkets have not been inspected or approved by IFPS or global standards as the scheme is optional.
A better understanding of the numbers on fruit labels could benefit individuals concerned about what they put into their bodies.
This information can also speed up the self-checkout process. Just enter the PLU code instead of searching for the item by name. Either way, it takes a lot of planning to make sure everyone is fed properly, and a system like PLU codes is a great way to help track the delicious and nutritious food that moves around the world.
Understanding fruit labels can provide valuable information about how produce is grown and help consumers make informed decisions. The numeric codes on these stickers serve more than just a price feature; they reveal whether fruits and vegetables are grown organically, genetically modified, or conventionally grown. Specifically, codes beginning with 9 indicate organic production, codes with 8 indicate genetic modification and numbers beginning with 3 or 4 indicate conventionally grown items.
While organic produce is often associated with higher quality or better health benefits, research has shown that there is no significant nutritional difference between organic and conventionally grown foods. The primary difference lies in the fertilization and pest control methods used. Organic farming relies on natural methods, while conventional farming uses synthetic chemicals. Dr. Tamika D. Sims emphasizes that focusing on a well-balanced and varied diet is more important for health than emphasizing organic versus conventional labels.
The International Fruit Labeling System, introduced in the 1990s, helps to standardize product labeling, although it does not apply to all fruits and vegetables. Understanding these codes can make shopping more efficient, especially during self-checkout where PLU codes streamline the process. Although fruit labels offer useful information, the most important aspect of a healthy diet remains the variety and balance of the foods consumed.