Have you ever noticed the small, sticky labels on your apples, bananas, or avocados? Those tiny codes aren't just random numbers – they hold the key to understanding exactly what you're buying.
The Hidden Language of Produce
Every piece of fruit and many vegetables in UK supermarkets carry a Price Look-Up (PLU) code. This four or five-digit number reveals crucial information about how your food was grown.
Cracking the Code
- 4-digit codes starting with 3 or 4: Conventionally grown produce (using pesticides)
- 5-digit codes starting with 9: Organically grown
- 5-digit codes starting with 8: Genetically modified (though rare in UK supermarkets)
Why This Matters for Shoppers
These labels were originally created to help cashiers identify items at checkout, but they've become an important tool for health-conscious consumers. By understanding these codes, you can make informed choices about pesticide exposure and GMOs.
The Future of Food Labelling
As demand for transparency grows, some supermarkets are experimenting with digital codes that provide even more information about a product's journey from farm to shelf. Could this be the end of the humble sticker?
