PLU Codes
PLU is the abbreviation of Price Look Up, i.e. the name of the mysterious numbers often printed on the fruit labels. It is shown like PLU-4211, #4211 or 4211 only. By reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides.
How to read a PLU code
- For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers.
- Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9.
- Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.
Examples of PLU Codes
- 4011: a conventionally grown banana
- 94011: an organic banana
- 84011: a genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana.
Some history
Between the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s (the date is a vexed question) appeared in the USA the PLU Code. It was useful for different sakes.
In a system that sale its products by the number and not only by the weight (like in Italy), it was important to know fruit and vegetable with the same size (calibre). Imagine a cashier of a supermarket in the USA who must watch all fruit to determinate the price. With the PLU code it was more easy. And then the stocks in hand. In an economy like the american, it was (and it is!) necessary to know the consistence of the stocks in hand and decide when to reorder them. In short, the PLU code is similar to the bar code.
That’s the beginning. Then the PLU code is become different: it showed a precise kind or brand of fruit. To know that you are buying a banana with a brand is synonymous of quality product. That’s, as explained us our President Imperi, when the labels was already born in the markets. The PLU code says us also the geographical origin of the product. In the USA there’s a difference between the East and the West products: the demarcation may be the Mississippi river (?).
Other important difference: the PLU is assigned to the fresh fruit and vegetables only.
In 2000 the PMA (Produce Marketing Associations) and PEIB (Produce Electronic Identification Board) have called a meeting to adopt the PLU codes.
Now the PLU is used in USA, Canada, Africa del Sud, New Zealand, Australia, Cile and in Europe: Belgique, Greit Britain, Germany, Swedi, Norway and France.
In 2001 it has been created the IPFC, the international federation of codifcation of fruit and vegetables. The birth date is 26 october and the place is Philadelfia.
The PLU codes are updated periodically according to international agreements.
Now somebody says that there are 1200 codes assigned.
It seems that the PLU codes are destined to disappear in 5/10 years, as substituted by an other and more efficiency code: the RSS 14. A sort of mini bar code.
If yuo want to know a PLU code, you can check it to the web site: PLU Codes.
Special thanks to Mr. Olindo Daliana for the informations sent about the history of PLU Codes and Mrs Marion Owen who let me publish some informations about codes (how to read a plu and examples), found in her web site Plantea.
