However, these unassuming stickers are more informative than you’d think. While the PLU is the “price lookup” number and identifies your fruit or vegetable, it also helps to identify something else: how the particular produce was grown. By reading this code, you can tell if the fruit has been genetically modified, grown organically, or produced using chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides. That’s right, the story about where your fruit comes from has been right under your noses all along – you just have to know how to analyze the labels and PLU number. This is actually a lot easier than you’d imagine.
Below are some of the basics of what you need to know. This is then followed up with an informative video that will provide you with more information.
1. If the PLU only consists of four numbers, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The four letters (or only four in this case) of the PLU code simply indicate what type of food you are buying. For example, all bananas are labelled with the code 4011.
2. If the PLU consists of five numbers, and the first number is 8, this indicates that the produce has been genetically modified. These fruit and vegetables have been created in an unnatural way, and cannot be found in nature. A genetically engineered banana would be 84011.
3. If the PLU consists of five numbers, and the first number is 9, this tells you that the produce has been grown organically and has not been genetically modified. An organic banana would be 94011.
Interestingly enough, the glue used to attach the stickers to the food is considered food-grade, but the stickers themselves are not safe to consume.
If you’re looking to be super aware of what fruits and vegetables have been treated with pesticides and which have not, you should check out the homepage for the Environmental Working Groups. The EWG have compiled two lists to help consumers identify which produce is generally cleaner and which produce have been tampered with; as well as the "Clean Fifteen", and the "Dirty Dozen".
The top 5 for the “Clean Fifteen” produce are:
1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Cabbage
5. Sweet Peas (Frozen)
The top 5 for the “Dirty Dozen” produce are:
1. Strawberries
2. Apples
3. Nectarines
4. Peaches
5. Celery
Bonus Video: The informative video below will give you more information on the truth behind food labeling.
H/T: tiphero
Suffer from Dust Allergies? Try These Natural Treatments!
Do you suffer from dust allergies at home? If so, here are 8 natural remedies that you should definitely try!
Add Amla to Your Diet for These Fantastic Health Benefits
Amla fruit, also known as the Indian gooseberry, is a powerhouse of health benefits! Here are ten of its amazing health benefits.
Bananas Have a Dark History You Didn’t Know...
This video tells the surprisingly fascinating history of bananas and how they impacted international relationships.
Wow! I Never Knew Parsnips Have so Many Health Benefits!
Not only are parsnips tasty, but they're extremely good for you as well. Here are 6 health benefits of the humble parsnip.
You MUST Pay Attention to These Numbers When Buying Fruit
The numbers you see on fruit have much more significance than you think. You can learn everything you need to know about the fruit you're buying from them.
Here Are the Many Health Benefits of Blackberries
Get ready to learn about 8 of the most important health benefits that blackberries have to offer us.
Clever Ways to Hide Your Money and Credit Cards
Don't let the burglars get your hard earned cash! Learn how to hide it like a pro.
Active Stretching: What It Is and How To Do It
Active stretching is a great way to improve flexibility and mobility. Here's how it differs form other forms of stretching and a few useful examples.
How to Fix Holes in Your Drywall: 4 Easy Ways
This video delves into four practical methods to repair your drywall, restoring your walls to their pristine condition.
Avoid Spending Extra Cash on these Unnecessary Upgrades!
To make sure you don't have buyer's remorse after making a big electrical appliance purchase, avoid these upgrades!
WATCH: I Had No Idea Coconut Oil Was THIS Useful!
Coconut oil is a substance you need both in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as you're about to see with these 10 unexpected uses.
Discover 7 Ways to Make Your Home Smell Great
Check out these seven wonderful ways to keep your home smelling clean and fresh without breaking the bank!
Bored of the Outlet Covers? Here's How to Paint Them Well
In this article, we'll learn how to paint and wallpaper plastic or metal outlet covers effectively and professionally.
How To Keep Your Bread Fresher For That Much Longer...
if you're wondering how to make your bread last longer, read the following article and learn about 5 different methods of doing just that!
Everything You Wanted to Know About Coffee...
Is coffee healthy? Is it addictive? Is there any way to reuse coffee grounds? Find the answer these question in this coffee themed collection
One Hundred Fascinating Facts About the Amazing Human Body
The human body is the most amazing thing in the universe. Here are 100 reasons why!
Smart! This Is How to Peel a Hard Boiled Egg
You can actually peel a boiled egg without even touching it! That's incredible.
A Super-Quick & Easy Method For Removing Labels From Jars
If you use jars for storage, here's the quickest and easiest way of removing pesky brand labels from them. Two ingredients and a few minutes are all you need.
4 Smart Ways to Keep Your Herbs Fresh
To help keep your herbs fresh and delicious for longer, we've compiled four tips for you.
10 Easy Ways to Remove a Troublesome Splinter
Splinters are painful and can be a nightmare to remove. However, the following 10 home remedies make removing a splinter easier than ever before!
Have You Ever Tried These Nifty Tips in the Kitchen?
These helpful tips and tricks will save you time and money.
WARNING: These 11 Carcinogens are Lurking in Your Home
There are many things lurking in our home that are dangerous to us, but these 11 items are the most surprising!
Our Complete Guide to Peeling Fruits and Vegetables!
Each fruit and vegetable has a different way of being effectively peeled. Our guide will teach you the very best methods!
These 12 Simple Actions Will Keep Your Mind Sharp
The brain, the most important organ in our bodies responsible for countless actions, sometimes needs a little help, here are 12 unique ways to help it.
12 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet in Your 40s and Later
In this article, we’ll focus on 12 foods with proven anti-aging effects that are easy to find in stores and even easier to add into your diet
HEARING LOSS: How to Keep Your Hearing Strong for Longer
It's not just age that steals away our hearing, but also bad listening habits that damage our ears. Here are 10 tips to help keep your hearing strong.
A Simple, Easy Guide for Writing Your Living Will
It's not something you want to think about, but writing your will is sure to lift a huge burden from your shoulders. Here's a simple guide.
How to Deal with an Emotional Extortionist
Emotional extortionists (also known as "Emotional Vampires") are people who prey on other people's emotions, knowingly or unknowingly, to get what they want.
Make These Baby Products Naturally at Home!
To help you create your own natural remedies for your little one, we suggest trying out the following homemade "recipes".
10 Reasons Why Your Nonstick Cookware Is SO Short-Lasting
Here are 10 common cooking and maintenance mistakes that can ruin nonstick cookware for you to avoid in the future!
5 Incredible Secrets 5-Star Hotels Use to Do the Laundry
Achieve outstanding results with these incredible laundry tips
Here Are the Safety Precautions You Need to Take This Xmas
Christmas can be ruined by not paying enough attention to safety, but this guide will bring your attention to all the things you need to be aware of.
How to Clean BETWEEN the Oven's Glass Panels
Here is a neat trick you can use to make sure that this troublesome gap is kept free of dirt and filth so that your oven door remains spotless!
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
8 Awesome YouTube Channels For Simple At-Home DIY Guides
Become a home renovation expert with these awesome home DIY YouTube channels.
13 Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
These tips will help you adjust your shoes to your feet, and even enhance them to prevent issues like wetness, squeaking, wrinkling, or pain.
Learn the Banana Tricks You Always Wanted to Know
You're Going to Love This Handy Banana Trick
Know Your Kitchen Tools - the Uses for Every Type of Paper
Learn when to use (and when to avoid) each type of kitchen paper, aluminum foil, cling film, and all other wrapping mediums.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being Stressed
Can stress have a positive effect on your body and mind? Discover the health benefits of stress here.
Paper Towels Can Do Much More Than Just Mop Up Spills
We all think that paper towels are just for mopping up spills, but it turns out they have many uses you wouldn't expect. Take a look at them here!
Knowing These 12 Warning Signs Could Save Your Pet's Life!
If your pets exhibit any of these 12 symptoms, you should take them to the vet immediately!
26 Handy Tips That'll Fit Any Kitchen
These tips will make you a master of the kitchen, full of little secrets and shortcuts...
Did You Know Vinegar Has a Whole Range of Different Uses?
Watching this video will make you love vinegar more than you ever did before - it has loads of different uses around the house.
Who Thought Such a Simple Technique Could Be So Potent?
This amazing finger technique will help you to revitalize and nourish your body if you're feeling drained.
17 Bad Housekeeping Habits You’re Likely Unaware Of
These 17 housekeeping habits are some of the most undesirable out there.