Know Your Produce

 

While most people in the U.S. are accustomed to labels or stickers on foods including produce, have you ever wondered what those PLU (produce look up or price look up) codes actually mean?    While the intention of PLU codes are to aid cashiers and make the checkout process more efficient, the literal representation of these codes may surprise you.  My hope is that it will get your attention, inform and inspire you to pay more attention to your food.  It is an understatement to say that ‘knowledge is power’.  If you have accurate information, you are empowered to make informed choices for yourself and for your family.

Some produce will have the labels directly on each item in the way of a sticker, others produce may not have a sticker and the cashier might have the number memorized or need to look it up and enter the PLU code in the computer at checkout to adequately price the item. PLU codes categorize the produce for pricing.  Here is what some of those numbers mean for you as a consumer.

A four digit code beginning with a “3” or a “4” identifies the food as grown traditionally or indicate it is conventionally farmed, meaning it is grown WITH the use of PESTICIDES and is generally priced  least expensively lending support to big chemical companies.  A conventionally grown food has been treated with glyphosate (aka RoundUp), atrazine and other harsh chemicals.  These chemicals can strip the minerals from the soil, contributing to soil degradation and ground water contamination.  An example of this are bananas that are labeled with the code of #4011.

A five digit code beginning with the number “3” means the produce was electronically pasteurized (IRRADIATED), keeping in mind that irradiation robs the food of its minerals and vitamins while damaging important enzymes.  Irradiation essentially ‘sterilizes’ the food and in the process forms free radicals that combine with existing chemicals in the food such as pesticides to create new chemicals (called unique radiolytic products or URPs).  Some URPs are known toxins such as benzene or formaldehyde; the effect of these new chemicals on  long term health remains unknown.   An example would be sunkist oranges labeled #3099.  While standard with most imported foods, irradiation is not limited to fruit, it is common with meat, poultry, pork, eggs, vegetables, sprouts; tea and spices are among the commonly irradiated foods, both fresh and especially those dried.

A five digit code beginning with the number “8” means the food is genetically engineered aka genetically modified.  GE and GMO foods can breakdown human DNA, contribute to premature aging and may be carcinogenic.  GMO foods yield the highest levels of pesticides which contribute to heavy metal poisoning and a deluge of health issues.  An example of this might be a genetically modified (GE/ GMO) banana bearing the code #84011.  Please keep in mind that because there are laws to protect chemical companies and commercial growers from revealing the status of GE and GMO foods because of consumer concern, many GMO foods are not indicated with an “8” at the start of the PLU code.  The best sure way to avoid GMO foods is to look for the non-GMO certified and USDA organic certified labels.   The highest GMO crops include Hawaiian papaya, corn, soy, canola, zucchini and yellow squash. If these foods do not contain a certified non-GMO label, it is safer to assume they are genetically engineered and you are best served to avoid them.  GMO foods have been engineered to protect the crops from pests.   Genetically modified to withstand high doses of volatile chemicals or to produce pesticides within the fruit or vegetable to kill potential pests while preserving the outward appearance of the produce (fruit or vegetable), these modified organisms are absorbed in the intestinal tract of consumers and impact the genetics of those whom consume them, leading to heavy metal toxicity.  Click here to safely, gently and effectively detox your body of heavy metals.

A code beginning the the number “9” is grown organically and is priced accordingly.  ORGANIC produce is not genetically engineered and is not allowed to be sprayed with toxic chemicals such as RoundUp.  Organically farmed produce yields the highest nutrient value and flavor and is not heavily sprayed with pesticides.  As an example, an organic apple might be labeled 93065.  While some states allow for organic crops to be sprayed in the event of a mass crop infestation, this is a reason to buy locally and to get to know your local farmers.   There is nothing more ideal than building and supporting community which fosters sustainability and prevents soil degradation.  Local organic food will yield  the highest nutrient value of all produce.   While certified organic is an important label to look for if buying at a supermarket, keep in mind that many small  local farmers cannot afford the high fees associated with such certification.  There are many small community associations that align with organic principles to offer affordable sustainable produce at local venues.   In Hawaii. there is a group called  HIP Agriculture.

Please keep in mind that organic produce is often sprayed after harvest if traveling out of state, another reason to buy local and if buying from a supermarket, a good reminder  to rinse all fruits and vegetables well and to consider adding a detoxification mineral like a purified zeolite clinoptilolite into your daily regime to remove pesticide residue.  Be mindful that international produce is almost a guarantee that it is irradiated and sprayed with fungicides and herbicides for entry into the United States while still sometimes still carrying an organic label.  You might gain another level of confidence with QAI organic certification, the highest of standards for organic labeling.

Eating organically and supporting organic farming is the best for the health of  your family and for the environment.  Pure clean food provides the building blocks for the body and the brain.  Supporting organic coops helps to preserve sustainable farming practices for present and prospective generations, protecting the health of  humanity to move viably forward into the future.  Educating the youth could play an important role in the purity of our food, perhaps it ought to be considered as curriculum for students to learn sustainable growing practices to preserve the integrity of the food supply for both local and global communities.  We might all begin with informing our loved ones on how to read labels on produce and on pre-packaged foods which often contain a host of chemicals, synthetic additives and by products of industrial waste masquerading as health foods.  Before buying labeled foods, do your homework.  Look it up online.  Read several different articles, not just the first one you come across.  Dig deeper.  Read about secondary ingredients.  Google words you don’t recognize.  Look up the chemical composition and find out how exactly it is derived.  Know your food.  Your food is fuel for your body to build,  repair and maintain itself.  Build from pure sources and your body will thank you with good health.

Resources and Sources:

Artemis Dona, Ioannis S Arvanitoyannis.  National Library of Medicine:  PubMed:  Health risks of genetically modified foods  February 2009.

Environmental Working Group:  Toxic Chemicals.  Glyphosate: the cancer-causing Roundup chemical found in children’s cereal

Eversole, Gayle, PhD. ND.  The Dangers of Food Irradiation  April 15, 2008 https://rense.com/general81/foodr.htm

Naidenko, Olga, Ph.D.  Environmental Working Group:  News and Insights:  Atrazine: A Harmful Weedkiller Taints Tap Water for Millions in U.S. April 29, 2017.

Hills, Jenny, Healthy and Natural World:  Food and Nutrition:  Pay Close Attention to These Numbers When Buying Fruit (PLU Codes)

What’s Wrong with Food Irradiation by Organic Consumers Association.  www.organicconsumers.org https://www.organicconsumers.org/sites/default/files/what%27s%20wrong%20with%20food%20irradiation.pdf

 

Disclaimer:

These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. FDA and any content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.