William from facebook was kind enough to remind me that this labeling system is voluntary, and as such, it is NOT a foolproof way of identifying GMO’s. The best way is to identify what they look like is by doing research on truly organic foods. With this greater level of awareness we need not depend on the honesty of companies known for dishonest practices.
Do you ever wonder what those stickers on the fruits and vegetables you buy mean? Sure, there is a code and a number that identifies the product when you check out. BUT, there is more to the story than you may want to believe. Read on and you will be surprised what you learn:
Although they seem like a nuisance, the stickers or labels attached to fruit and some vegetables have more of a function than helping scan the price at the checkout stand. The PLU code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, also tells you how the fruit was grown. By reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides.
Here are the basics of what you should know:
If there are only four numbers in the PLU, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The last four letters of the PLU code are simply what kind of vegetable or fruit. An example is that all bananas are labeled with the code of 4011.
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8″, this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables trump being organic. So, it is impossible to eat organic produce that are grown from genetically modified seeds. A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9″, this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified. An organic banana would be: 94011
Incidentally, the adhesive used to attach the stickers is considered food-grade, but the stickers themselves aren’t edible.
Source:
http://worldtruth.tv/the-true-meaning-behind-sticker-codes/
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