What those numbers on fruit stickers really mean

When it comes to groceries, we usually pay attention to the brand and the expiry date, but when it comes to fruits and vegetables most of us pick the ripe ones that look appealing to the eye. The truth is that fruits and vegetables are also labeled, but not many pay attention to those numbers mostly because they don’t even know what they stand for.

Numbers on fruit stickers like 9

Numbers on fruits serve more than the single purpose of identify how much the item should ring up. In fact, they provide valuable information about the product. If you notice fruit stickers starting with the numbers 9, out of five digits, it indicates that the fruit has been grown organically.

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Number 8

If the five-digit number the fruit is labeled with starts with the number 8, it means the product has been genetically modified. GMO foods are controversial as many believe they cause and trigger allergies. This technology is often used in agriculture to enhance the resistance of crops to pests and diseases, improve tolerance to herbicides, or increase nutritional content.

Currently, researchers still investigate the long-term effects, if any, on humans. Some of the most notable GMO fruits are papayas, apples, plums, strawberries, and grapes, among the rest.

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4-digit code

A 4-digit code starting with either number 3 or 4 signifies the food isn’t organically grown. Instead, it has likely been “conventionally grown.” The meaning of conventionally grown food refers to the way they are fertilized. While organic produce uses organic matter like compost and is mechanically or biologically treated for weeds, conventional methods use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

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The debate about the environmental impacts and possible future health complications involving conventional food-growth methods is ongoing.

Dr. Tamika D. Sims, the senior director of food technology communications in Atlanta Georgia, says both organic and synthetic fertilizers have been “federally regulated.”

According to him, people shouldn’t worry about the numbers on fruits and vegetables they consume but rather focus on reaching a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods needed for good health.

When it comes to picking the right fruits and vegetables, the number of digits also matters. A 4 or 5-digit number indicates where and how the food was grown, in addition to the size and type of food purchased, but when the product is labeled with a sticker consisting of more than five digits, it means it’s not included in the “internationally standardized system.”

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For most, going grocery shopping is a dull task they tend to complete as swiftly as possible.

However, knowing that the food we consume is crucial for our survival and maintaining our health and fitness, we should all pay more attention when choosing the food we purchase. The International Federation for Produce Standards is dedicated to “improving supply chain efficiency” which involves, among other responsibilities, ensuring the provision of high-quality ingredients and “establishing and unifying international standards.”

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This system was first implemented during the 90’s, when stickers on fruits and vegetables were added. Categorizing these items with numerical codes was to guarantee high quality. The IFPS has issued more than 1,400 such codes. However, since the system is optional, not all fruits and vegetables in stores have been inspected or approved by the IFPS or meet global standards.

Those people who care of the choice of food they consume can find the knowledge behind the meaning of numbers on fruits and vegetables useful. This knowledge can also expedite the self-checkout process by simply entering the PLU code instead of searching for the item by name. The PLU code system is an excellent method to track the delicious and nutritious foods that travel worldwide.

20 Pairs of People Who Made Us Believe That Time Travel Is Already Possible

Although each person is born with a unique set of genes, when kids are born, it’s impossible to avoid conversations about who they look the most like. And some people are lucky enough to find resemblances to their older ancestors, like a bolt from the blue. With children looking like an exact copy of their parents and grandparents, we’re almost ready to believe that it’s a result of some kind of reincarnation or wizardry.

And while scientists are still scratching their heads about our genes, we at Bright Side simply can’t help but wonder about what miracles nature is really capable of.

1. Princess Diana and her grandmother, Cynthia, made us wonder whether time travel already exists.

2. “A side by side of my 3x great-grandmother and my mother”

3. “I think I might be a clone and no one told me.”

4. This family’s genes are so strong.

5. “My dad and me, 1980 vs 2020”

6. “This is me in the mid-’90s and my son in 2020, not quite the same pose, but I like seeing the similarities!”

7. “My grandmother (1940) and me (2005) — I feel grateful to carry on her lovely genes.”

8. “I think it’s fun to look at my dad at 12 vs me at 12.”

9. “Me vs my mom’s yearbook photo (1977)”

10. “My son at a year old in 2004 and his great-great-grandfather at the same age in 1882”

11. “My whole life people have told me I look just like my mom when she was my age. I never saw it until I found this old picture of my mom.”

12. Nature’s miracles with genes will never cease to amaze us.

13. “My dad and me, both at the age of 14”

14. “Found this old picture of my great-grandma. I was amazed at how much I look like her!”

15. This mom and daughter look almost identical.

16. Seems like sometimes nature works like a 3D printer.

17. This granddaughter has features similar to her grandmother, and they both look so beautiful.

18. “My ancestor from the 1700s next to my dad — apparently my family’s looks haven’t changed much.”

19. “My dad’s mother and me, 70 years apart”

20. This bright smile passed through at least 2 generations.

Bonus: Princess Charlotte and Queen Elizabeth might not look alike, but the princess is surely the queen’s mini-me.

Have you seen this kind of resemblance in real life? Do you know any relatives that look like you?

Preview photo credit JUSTIN TALLIS /AFP / Getty ImagesMax Mumby/Indigo / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images

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