If You See This Sticker on Fruit, Don’t Buy It: Here’s What You Need to Know
Fruit stickers are not just random labels—they provide important information about how the fruit was grown. Understanding what these stickers mean can help you make better purchasing decisions and avoid fruits that might not meet your health or ethical standards. Here’s what you should look out for and why certain stickers might signal you to steer clear.
The Codes on Fruit Stickers: What They Mean
Fruit stickers often have a PLU code (Price Look-Up code), which is a set of numbers that reveal how the fruit was grown. Here’s how to decode them:
4-Digit Codes Starting with 3 or 4
Example: 4011 (a common code for bananas)
What It Means: The fruit was grown conventionally, often with the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. While not inherently harmful, these may not meet organic or eco-friendly standards.
5-Digit Codes Starting with 9
Example: 94011
What It Means: The fruit is certified organic and grown without synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
5-Digit Codes Starting with 8
Example: 84011
