How to Decode the Tiny Stickers on Grocery Store Fruits and Vegetables

From organic labeling to GMO clues, these tiny tags offer more insight than you think.

Food & Wine / Getty Images

Food & Wine / Getty Images

So you've gone to the grocery store, picked up all your produce, and are back home whipping up a tasty meal. As you prep your fruits and vegetables, you find yourself peeling off tiny sticker after tiny sticker. You may not give those little stickers much thought, but maybe you should. Because they could give you great insight into what you're eating.

Here's everything you need to know about those produce stickers.

Yes, these stickers have a name and a purpose

First, those stickers that come with a few numbers printed on them have a name: Price Look-Up (PLU) codes, a globally recognized system for quickly identifying fresh produce at the checkout counter. Each code, typically four or five digits long, offers information about the item's category (i.e., if it's a banana, an apple, or a peach), if it's organic or conventionally grown, and potentially even if it's genetically modified, making it simple for grocery stores to manage inventory. For example, different types of apples each have their own PLU code, as do different kinds of nuts, organic vs. non-organic lettuce, and so on. The stickers also usually contain barcodes for easy scanning by the cashier at checkout.

What are PLU codes and who sets them?

Retailers worldwide use PLU codes set by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), an organization made up of national produce associations worldwide. The IFPS aims "to improve the supply chain efficiency of the fresh produce industry through developing, implementing and managing harmonized international standards." The group also acts as a place for "discussion on issues relating to international standards" and develops and manages the PLU system. Every organization member gets a vote, making it as democratic a process as possible.

These PLU codes were introduced in 1990 to streamline produce identification for retailers and consumers. They typically range between 3000 and 4999, though there are exceptions. (As the IFPS noted, once the 3000-4000 series is exhausted, it will move to the 83000 and 84000 series.)

Related: How the European Grocery Shopping Trend Can Help You Save Money and Prevent Waste

According to the IFPS, each sequence corresponds to a specific produce type — think “4011” for a common banana. Once a PLU is assigned, retailers in participating countries can use it for consistent labeling — meaning, yes, that same code will be used on a common banana in the U.S., New Zealand, Canada, and wherever else members join from around the world.

However, using the same codes is not mandated by law, so please note it may not be the exact same code at every store every time. To date, there are 1500 PLU codes in use, the IFPS explained.  However, members can at any time apply for new PLU codes. As of February 2025, there are two PLU applications underway: one for the "PremA34 Apple" and one for the "PremA093 Apple," so you may see two new PLU stickers very soon.

Decoding organic vs. conventionally grown

These stickers can offer clues as to how your produce was grown — be it conventional or organic. The easiest way to tell the difference is if the code has four or five digits. Four digits, usually starting with "3" or "4," represent conventionally grown produce — meaning they were grown using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or both or have not gone through the process of receiving organic certification in the U.S.

According to the IFPS guidelines, a five-digit code that begins with a "9" generally indicates organic produce. For example, organic bananas might carry the code "94011" instead of just "4011." However, the code itself is not a formal certification tool. In the United States, that is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Food & Wine According to the International Federation for Produce Standards, five-digit codes that begin with a

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According to the International Federation for Produce Standards, five-digit codes that begin with a "9" typically represent produce grown organically.

GMO labeling and the little-known "8" code

According to the IFPS, there is no mandatory global rule requiring genetically modified produce to be labeled with an “8”; however, some companies could use it voluntarily. Because the “8” prefix never took off commercially, you’re unlikely to see it on grocery store shelves, but if you do, it could indicate a genetically modified item.



Fast Facts: Produce Stickers 101

PLU codes help consumers and retailers better understand the products they are choosing. Here's what you need to know about them.

  • Is it four or five digits? If it's four, it's conventionally grown. If it's five, it's likely organic.

  • The codes are set by an international committee, meaning the same code applies to conventionally grown bananas all over the world.

  • While the stickers are safe for contact with produce it's generally advised to remove them before consuming your produce.



Are the stickers edible?

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the adhesives used on these stickers and has deemed them safe for contact with produce. However, you should be removing them before enjoying your fruits and vegetables. It won't kill you if you eat it, but you should avoid it whenever possible.

Related: How to Use the 6-to-1 Grocery Shopping Method to Save Time and Money

The other downside of these stickers is that, in large part, they are neither compostable nor biodegradable, meaning they won’t break down easily. However, researchers are now working to create ones that will be compatible with home composting

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