Decoding produce stickers: organic? genetically modified?
Pregnancy is the time when you have most control over your child’s health - and it’s a time when many women start to seriously seek out organic foods and produce. Grocers typically do a good job of highlighting the organics, and keeping them separate from conventionally grown (i.e., made with pesticides). But do you ever wonder if regular produce gets tossed in with the organic? Or if there’s genetically modified produce in the bunch?
Learn how to decode the stickers and you’ll wonder no more …
The stickers are part of an international PLU (price look-up) system grocers use to make check-out and inventory control easier. To help identify the fruit or veggie variety, the stickers have a four digit number (e.g. 4060 stands for broccoli). Cashiers key the number into the register to ring up the right price. If the item is organic, the sticker will have a five-digit code and will begin with the number “9? (so it’s “94060? for organic broccoli).
But there’s also a third PLU option. A five-digit number beginning with an “8? indicates that the produce you’re holding is genetically modified. Of course, there’s a whole controversy over genetically modified fruits, veggies and other foods and whether they might have unforseen consequences – in human and environmental health. The number “8? was assigned as the “genetically modified” identification years ago when it was thought that consumers would widely accept such fruits and vegetables.
That hasn’t turned out to be the case. And, sadly, you’re not likely to find grocers or food manufacturers voluntarily labeling genetically modified fruits (the PLU system is optional, and because GM foods may not have a different price than conventional, grocers don’t have incentive for the specialized labeling). Most experts say that, for now, the majority of fruits and vegetables on the market are not genetically modified, but they do say that the majority of processed foods contain genetically modified ingredients. Here are some stats from the Center for Food Safety, an environmental advocacy group:
Currently, up to 45 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered, as is 85 percent of soybeans. It has been estimated that 70 to 75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves – from soda to soup, crackers to condiments – contain genetically engineered ingredients.
If you’re concerned, here’s a shoppers’ guide to avoiding genetically modified fruits, veggies and other foods from a division of the Center for Food Safety. One sure way to avoid genetically modified food items?
Stick to organic fruits and veggies (five-digit code starting with a “9?) and buy other food items labeled USDA Organic (left), a certification that doesn’t allow for genetic modification.
I wonder how much genetically altered food has played in the increase of autism in the USA. Especially, in light of the fact that such a huge percentage of processed foods contain genetically engineered ingredients.
Genetically altered food hasn’t played a role in autism. All research suggests that genetically modified food has no relationship to autism. However, mercury emissions are related to an increase in autism, and has also probably contributed to your stupidity.
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Thanks for the article, this is great to know.
GM plants are commonly engineered for at least three things: to be resistant to herbicides and pesticides, to not reproduce, and to be much more toxic than regular plants.
Antonia is right to wonder. Autism is a catch all, not a narrowly defined disorder, and I see no reason GM foods wouldn’t contribute at least something to it, especially when you consider how autism comes linked with digestive problems.