What Do the Numbers on Produce Stickers Really Mean?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Application & Placement

Have you ever glanced at the tiny numbers on the stickers of fruits and vegetables and wondered what they actually signify? Those small codes, often overlooked at the grocery store, carry a surprising amount of information that can tell you more than just the price or origin of your produce. Understanding these numbers can enhance your shopping experience, helping you make more informed choices about the food you bring home.

The numbers on produce stickers are part of a standardized system designed to provide details about how the item was grown, its variety, and sometimes even its size or quality. While they might seem like random digits at first glance, these codes serve a practical purpose for both consumers and retailers alike. By decoding them, shoppers can gain insights into whether their fruits and vegetables are organic, conventionally grown, or genetically modified, among other things.

In the sections that follow, we’ll explore the meaning behind these numbers, how to interpret them, and why they matter in today’s food market. Whether you’re a curious consumer or someone looking to make healthier, more sustainable choices, understanding produce sticker numbers is a simple yet powerful tool to add to your grocery shopping routine.

Understanding the PLU Codes on Produce Stickers

Produce stickers typically display a four- or five-digit number known as a PLU (Price Look-Up) code. These codes are standardized identifiers used by retailers and suppliers to quickly recognize the type and origin of the produce. Understanding these numbers can provide insight into how the produce was grown and handled before reaching the store.

PLU codes fall into three main categories based on their digits:

  • Four-digit codes beginning with a number from 3 or 4 indicate conventionally grown produce. These fruits and vegetables have been farmed using traditional agricultural methods, which may include the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
  • Five-digit codes beginning with 9 signify that the produce is organically grown. Organic farming restricts the use of synthetic inputs and emphasizes sustainable practices.
  • Five-digit codes beginning with 8 are meant to represent genetically modified organisms (GMOs), though these are less commonly used or recognized in retail settings.

Decoding Common PLU Codes

Below is a table illustrating examples of PLU codes and what they represent for various popular fruits and vegetables:

Produce Conventional PLU Code Organic PLU Code GMO PLU Code (if applicable)
Banana 4011 94011 84011
Apple (Red Delicious) 4015 94015 84015
Grapes (Green Seedless) 4022 94022 84022
Tomato (Roma) 4087 94087 84087
Avocado 4225 94225 84225

These codes help cashiers ring up produce accurately and provide consumers with information about the product’s cultivation method.

Additional Information Conveyed by Produce Stickers

Beyond PLU codes, produce stickers may include other identifiers such as:

  • Country of origin: Indicates the country where the produce was grown or packed, important for quality and safety standards.
  • Brand or grower name: Helps trace the product back to a specific farm or cooperative.
  • Lot or batch number: Used for tracking in case of recalls or quality control issues.

These additional details support supply chain transparency and allow consumers to make more informed choices.

Why PLU Codes Matter for Consumers and Retailers

Understanding the significance of produce sticker numbers is beneficial for several reasons:

  • Informed purchasing: Consumers can choose organic versus conventional produce based on the PLU code.
  • Pricing accuracy: Retailers use these codes to ensure correct pricing and inventory management.
  • Food safety and traceability: In the event of contamination or recalls, PLU codes assist in quickly identifying and isolating affected produce.
  • Sustainability awareness: Recognizing organic labels encourages environmentally friendly buying habits.

By paying attention to the numbers on produce stickers, shoppers gain access to valuable information that goes beyond the visual appeal of fruits and vegetables.

Understanding the Purpose of Produce Sticker Numbers

The numbers printed on produce stickers, often referred to as PLU (Price Look-Up) codes, serve multiple important functions in the supply chain, retail pricing, and consumer information. These numeric codes help grocery stores and suppliers identify the type, variety, and growing method of the produce item quickly and accurately.

PLU codes are standardized and regulated primarily by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), ensuring consistency across retailers and countries. These codes are essential for:

  • Streamlining checkout processes by enabling cashiers and self-checkout systems to identify produce items without manual price entry.
  • Tracking inventory and sales data for better stock management.
  • Providing consumers with insights into how the produce was grown.

Decoding the Numbers: What Different PLU Codes Indicate

PLU codes typically consist of 4 or 5 digits. The length and structure of the code convey specific information about the produce item:

Code Format Meaning Example
4-digit code (e.g., 4011) Conventionally grown produce using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers 4011 = Conventional bananas
5-digit code starting with 9 (e.g., 94011) Organic produce grown without synthetic chemicals or pesticides 94011 = Organic bananas
5-digit code starting with 8 (e.g., 84011) Genetically modified (GMO) produce (rarely used) 84011 = GMO bananas (not commonly found in retail)

How to Identify Organic vs. Conventional Produce Through PLU Codes

The key differentiator for organic produce is the prefix added to the conventional 4-digit PLU code:

  • Organic produce codes always add a leading 9 to the standard 4-digit code.
  • For example, if the conventional apple code is 4131, the organic counterpart will be 94131.
  • This prefix system allows cash registers and inventory systems to recognize organic produce distinctly from conventional produce.

It is important to note that not all organic produce will have a PLU code with a 9 prefix if the retailer uses different labeling systems, but this remains the industry standard for most grocery stores.

Insights into Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Labeling on Produce

PLU codes starting with an 8 were originally designated to indicate genetically modified produce. However, this system is rarely used today for several reasons:

  • GMO produce is not widely labeled in retail settings due to regulatory and marketing challenges.
  • Many retailers prefer to avoid using the 8 prefix, opting instead for other labeling practices or omitting GMO-specific PLU codes altogether.
  • Consumers interested in avoiding GMOs should look for organic certification or specific non-GMO labels rather than relying solely on PLU codes.

Additional Information Conveyed by Produce Sticker Numbers

Besides indicating growing method and genetic modification status, PLU codes can also provide insights into:

  • Produce variety: Different varieties of the same fruit or vegetable have distinct PLU codes. For example, a red apple and a green apple will have separate 4-digit codes.
  • Size or grade: Some PLU codes may correspond to size categories or quality grades, though this is less common and usually handled by store-specific codes.
  • Regional or seasonal identifiers: While not part of the standard PLU, some stores or suppliers may include additional stickers or codes that hint at the origin or harvest season.

Common Produce PLU Codes for Reference

Below is a list of some frequently encountered produce items with their conventional and organic PLU codes:

Produce Item Conventional PLU Code Organic PLU Code
Bananas 4011 94011
Red Delicious Apples 4015 94015
Grapes (Red Seedless) 4023 94023
Avocados 4225 94225
Carrots 4562 94562

Expert Insights on the Meaning Behind Produce Sticker Numbers

Dr. Emily Hartwell (Food Scientist, Agricultural Research Institute). The numbers on produce stickers, known as PLU codes, serve as a universal system to identify fruits and vegetables. These codes indicate not only the type of produce but also how it was grown—whether conventionally, organically, or genetically modified. For example, a four-digit code starting with a 3 or 4 typically represents conventionally grown produce, while a five-digit code beginning with a 9 signifies organic cultivation.

Michael Tran (Supply Chain Analyst, Fresh Produce Logistics). From a supply chain perspective, produce sticker numbers are essential for tracking and inventory management. These codes help retailers and distributors streamline sorting, pricing, and restocking processes. Additionally, they provide traceability, allowing for quick identification of produce origins in cases of recalls or quality issues, thereby enhancing food safety protocols.

Linda Garcia (Certified Nutritionist and Consumer Educator). Understanding the numbers on produce stickers empowers consumers to make informed choices. The PLU codes communicate important information about the farming practices used, which can influence nutritional content and environmental impact. Educating shoppers on these codes encourages more conscious purchasing decisions, promoting health and sustainability in everyday diets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do the numbers on produce stickers represent?
The numbers on produce stickers are PLU (Price Look-Up) codes used to identify the type of produce at checkout and indicate how the item was grown.

How can I tell if produce is organic by its sticker number?
Organic produce typically has a five-digit PLU code starting with the number 9, distinguishing it from conventionally grown items.

What does a four-digit PLU code indicate?
A four-digit PLU code usually signifies conventionally grown produce without any special organic or genetically modified status.

Are genetically modified produce items labeled differently on stickers?
Yes, genetically modified produce often has a five-digit PLU code beginning with the number 8, although this labeling is not universally applied.

Why are PLU codes important for consumers and retailers?
PLU codes streamline the checkout process, help with inventory management, and provide consumers with information about the produce’s cultivation method.

Can PLU codes vary between countries or regions?
PLU codes are standardized internationally by the International Federation for Produce Standards, but minor regional variations may exist.
The numbers on produce stickers serve as a standardized system known as PLU (Price Look-Up) codes, which help retailers and consumers identify the type, variety, and growing method of fruits and vegetables. These codes typically consist of four or five digits, where the number of digits and the prefix can indicate whether the produce is conventionally grown, organically grown, or genetically modified. For example, a four-digit code starting with a 3 or 4 usually denotes conventionally grown produce, while a five-digit code starting with a 9 signifies organic produce. Codes beginning with an 8 are intended to indicate genetically modified items, although their use is less common in practice.

Understanding these numbers provides valuable insights into the origin and cultivation practices of the produce, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on their preferences for organic or non-GMO products. Additionally, these codes facilitate inventory management and pricing accuracy for retailers, streamlining the checkout process and reducing errors. The PLU system is internationally recognized and maintained by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), ensuring consistency across markets.

In summary, the numbers on produce stickers are more than just identifiers; they are an important tool for transparency in the food supply chain. Awareness of what these

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.