Fruit stickers are small labels that are often found on fruits and vegetables in grocery stores. They serve several important purposes:
🏷️ Identification
Most fruit stickers display a PLU (Price Look-Up) code, which helps cashiers identify the type of produce quickly at checkout. For example, bananas, apples, and avocados each have specific codes.
🌱 Growing Method
The PLU code can also indicate how the produce was grown:
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4 digits → Conventionally grown
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5 digits starting with 9 → Organically grown
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5 digits starting with 8 → Genetically modified (rarely used today)
These codes are managed by the International Federation for Produce Standards.
📦 Branding & Traceability
Some stickers include brand names, logos, or country of origin. This helps with product marketing and allows suppliers to trace produce in case of recalls.
♻️ Disposal
Fruit stickers are usually made of plastic and adhesive, meaning they are not compostable and should be removed before composting fruit peels.
If you’d like, I can also explain what specific numbers on a fruit sticker mean 🍎
