The Meaning Behind Those Numbers That Are Printed on Fruit Stickers

There are normally at least four digits in each and every PLU code; however, the particular number is not allocated in a highly random fashion. There is a global identifier for a certain kind of fruit or vegetable, or for a size range that falls within that type of fruit or vegetable. On the other hand, when it comes to organic groceries, there is a little bit of additional magic required. Five-digit codes are used to identify organic products. These codes always start with the number “9,” and then they are followed by the well-known four-digit PLU.
The mystique around the number ‘8’
Now that you’ve read this, you may be curious about the strange “8” that keeps popping up in PLU codes. When it was first introduced, this prefix was meant to be used for products that were genetically engineered, which is a rather uncommon category in the realm of fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, it would be very difficult to detect these “8” prefixed codes at retail establishments. The “8” has lost its relevance in relation to growing type as a result of the limited availability of genetically modified organisms (GMO) products. Do not, however, dismiss it as a possibility just yet; it may come into play after the four-digit codes have been exhausted.