{"id":77243,"date":"2024-05-20T16:36:22","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/?p=77243"},"modified":"2024-05-20T16:36:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:36:22","slug":"what-the-numbers-on-fruit-stickers-tell-us-about-produce-taste-of-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/what-the-numbers-on-fruit-stickers-tell-us-about-produce-taste-of-home\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Numbers on Fruit Stickers Tell Us About Produce Taste of Home&hellip;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ever wondered about those tiny numerical codes adorning the fruit in your local supermarket? Beyond expediting the checkout process, these labels carry significant information about the fruit\u2019s journey from farm to table.\n</p><p><img fetchpriority='\"high\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"aligncenter' size-full wp-image-77272 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/writehorizon.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/05%5C/Screen-Shot-2024-05-20-at-16.30.49.png%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"410\"' height='\"326\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screen-Shot-2024-05-20-at-16.30.49.png' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3>While applicable to vegetables, herbs, and nuts as well, fruits predominantly bear these labels, offering valuable insights into their cultivation methods.\n<h4>FRUIT LABELS TYPICALLY FALL INTO 1 OF 3 DISTINCT CATEGORIES:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Conventional: A four-digit code denotes conventional cultivation. These fruits undergo growth using traditional farming practices, often involving pesticides and chemical fertilizers, potentially affecting soil health.\n<li><strong>Genetically Modified: A five-digit code starting with the number 8 indicates genetic modification. These fruits are engineered to resist pests and may involve pesticide usage during cultivation.\n<li><strong>Organic: A five-digit code commencing with the number 9 signifies organic certification. Organic fruits are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, promoting soil health and environmental sustainability.\n\n<h3>MAKING INFORMED CHOICES: PESTICIDES, ENVIRONMENT, AND LOCAL SUPPORT\n</h3><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"aligncenter' size-full wp-image-77273 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/writehorizon.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/05%5C/sticker-on-fruit-1-e1716197706799.jpeg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"771\"' height='\"569\"'>\n</p><p><strong>Pesticides and Health:\n<ul>\n<li>While conventionally grown fruits may use pesticides, it\u2019s essential to remember that the pesticide residue levels on fruits typically comply with regulatory safety standards.\n</li><li>Nevertheless, many individuals choose organic options to minimize potential pesticide exposure, especially if they have concerns about health or specific dietary preferences.\n\n<p><strong>Environmental Impact:\n<ul>\n<li>The choice between conventional and organic farming also has environmental implications.\n</li><li>Organic farming practices often focus on soil health and sustainability. These methods aim to minimize soil erosion, conserve water, and reduce chemical runoff.\n</li><li>Supporting organic farming can be viewed as a way to promote more environmentally friendly agriculture.\n\n<p><strong>Local Farmers:\n<ul>\n<li>Buying from local farmers at farmers\u2019 markets or through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs supports your local economy, reduces food miles, and often ensures fresher produce.\n</li><li>Local farmers may employ sustainable farming practices, even if they\u2019re not certified organic.\n</li><li>Engaging in conversations with local farmers can provide insight into their farming methods.\n\n<h3>EMPOWERING CONSUMER CHOICES:\n</h3><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"aligncenter' size-full wp-image-77273 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/writehorizon.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/05%5C/sticker-on-fruit-1-e1716197725967.jpeg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"771\"' height='\"393\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sticker-on-fruit-1-e1716197725967.jpeg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><ul>\n<li>As consumers, advocating for transparent food labeling can empower you to make informed choices.\n</li><li>Some organizations and brands go beyond the basic labeling requirements, providing additional information about the fruit\u2019s origin, farming practices, and certifications.\n</li><li>Supporting brands that prioritize transparency can be a way to encourage better information sharing within the industry.\n\n<h3>If You See a \u20189\u2019 in the PLU Code, This Is What It Means numbers on fruit stickers with a 9 to show that it&rsquo;s organic\n</h3><p>Every PLU code has at least four digits. \u201cThe actual number is used globally for that particular variety of fruit or vegetable, or for the size range within that variety,\u201d says Shales. \u201cA four-digit PLU represents conventionally grown (non-organic certified) fruit.\u201d\n</p><p>On the other hand, organic produce has a five-digit code, with a leading \u201c9\u201d in front of the 4-digit PLU.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"aligncenter' size-full wp-image-77271 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/writehorizon.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/05%5C/1500244463567.jpeg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"1280\"' height='\"1280\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1500244463567.jpeg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>Interestingly, a five-digit code with the prefix \u201c8\u201d was once intended for genetically modified produce items. \u201cHowever, these were never used at retail, because there are very few GMO produce items,\u201d says Shales. \u201cThe leading 8 now has no significance to growing type. It will likely be used once the 4-digit codes run out.\u201d There are over 1,400 PLU codes assigned to fresh produce and related items, according to the International Federation for Produce Standards.\n</p><p>The last thing fruit stickers can tell you is the supplier or brand that the produce comes from. \u201cFor instance, we put the Stemilt logo on our apple stickers so that consumers can look for our brand,\u201d says Shales. \u201cWe also have branded fruit varieties, like Rave apples, that have fun-shaped stickers to help consumers easily identify the fruit year after year.\u201d\n</p><p>By considering these factors, you can make food choices that align with your nutritional needs, environmental values, and support for local agriculture. Understanding the meaning of fruit labels is an essential step in making informed decisions about the food you consume.\n</p><p>So, the next time you pick up a piece of fruit, take a moment to decode that little sticker. It might just reveal more about your food choices than you ever imagined.\n</p><p>If you cannot buy locally, choose NUMBER 9 for Organic.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>Ever wondered about those tiny numerical codes adorning the fruit in your local supermarket? Beyond expediting the checkout process, these labels carry significant information about the fruit\u2019s journey from farm to table. While applicable to vegetables, herbs, and nuts as well, fruits predominantly bear these labels, offering valuable insights into their cultivation methods. FRUIT LABELS\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[404,410],"tags":[742],"class_list":{"0":"post-77243","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-and-fitness","8":"category-life-hacks","9":"tag-hometips-lifehacks"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/sticker-on-fruit-1-e1716197725967.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writehorizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></li></ul></li></ul></strong></p></li></ul></strong></p></li></ul></strong></p></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></ul></h4></h3>