Decoding GMO

May 16, 2011

Many concerned citizens would like to know whether or not their food contains GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Ideally, these modified foods will eventually be labeled, but until then there is a way to know if your produce has been altered or not. Marion Owen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's soul breaks it down on her site. It turns out that the PLU (price look up) code on produce stickers, is a sort of decoder ring. 

The breakdown: Organic fruits and veggies have a five number code which begins with the number nine. GMOs are also five numbers, but start with eight, and conventional produce simply has four numbers. 

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Comments

Andie Mitchell's picture

I'll be sure to check the PLUs of my food from now on! Thanks for the info, Shoshanna!