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What do the 4 digit numbers on produce mean?

What do the 4 digit numbers on produce mean?

The four- or five-digit numbers identify the produce, indicating size, growing method, type of food (apple or orange for instance) and variety (such as a Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious apple). The voluntary labels tell you whether you are purchasing organic or conventionally grown produce.

Are all produce codes the same?

All stores use the same codes. Produce, sold by weight or by the unit in an unprocessed form, does require a PLU code. Produce is defined as fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, herbs, flavorings, and nuts.

How do I learn produce codes?

Make flash cards to help you memorize produce codes. You can use pictures or the name of the produce, depending on how you learn better. The trick is to learn not only what code goes to what item, but to be able to name an item when you see the code. Spend extra time on memorizing codes to similar items.

Does produce have a UPC?

A UPC is different than a PLU code as the PLU is used on fresh loose or bulk produce items and will typically appear on a small sticker that is applied to the individual piece of fresh produce. There are two types of UPCs used in the fresh produce industry: the generic UPC and company-specific UPC.

What do stickers on fruits and vegetables mean?

While the stickers that get placed on fruits and vegetables won’t cause you any harm, it’s probably best to remove them before eating. (Stickers that start with the numbers 3 or 4 mean the item was grown conventionally, and those starting with 9 indicate the item was grown organically.)

Is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable?

Cucumber is usually considered a vegetable because of how it’s used in the culinary world. However, as it grows from flowers and contains seeds, it’s botanically a fruit. Regardless of its fruit or vegetable status, there are countless ways to enjoy cucumber in your cooking or beauty routine.

Is 4011 banana bad?

If you buy a banana with a four-digit code (4011 is the code for bananas) on the sticker, that banana was conventionally grown with the use of pesticides. All conventionally grown produce will have stickers with four digits.

What does 3 mean on fruit label?

A four-digit code beginning with a 3 or a 4 means the produce is probably conventionally grown. For example, regular small lemons sold in the U.S. are labeled 4033, large are 4053; small organic lemons are coded 94033, large are 94053.

How do you read PLU numbers?

Using Price Look-up Codes (PLUs), the Nutshell: PLU codes are four digit numbers that identify different types of produce. For example, #4011 is the code for a standard yellow banana. The number 9 prefix added to a PLU signifies that an item is organic. For example, #94011 is the code for an organic yellow banana.

Is there a UPC database?

Global UPC Database and UPC Product Registries. Fact: There is not currently a single recognized global UPC database. Unfortunately, there are numerous online websites which incorrectly claim to be authorized databases and they provide non-validated information.

How do I find my universal product code?

A UPC can be validated with a manual calculation that can be checked at a UPC-validation website. Write down a UPC. For example, 796030114977 is the UPC of a product. The last number is the check digit.

What does the number 4011 mean on bananas?

For example, #4011 is the code for a standard yellow banana. The number 9 prefix added to a PLU signifies that an item is organic. For example, #94011 is the code for an organic yellow banana. For example, #84011 is the code for a genetically engineered yellow banana.