Have you noticed the small stickers on fruit and vegetables? They carry a number called a PLU (price look-up) code. These codes help shops identify produce at the till. You might have heard that some numbers mean you should avoid a fruit, but the truth is simpler.

What the numbers mean

  • Four digits (for example, 4011 for some bananas) usually means conventionally grown produce.
  • Five digits starting with 9 usually means organic produce.
  • Five digits starting with 8 were once set aside for genetically modified produce, but this prefix is rarely, if ever, used in practice.

Codes are for shops

PLU codes are mainly a tool for shops and checkouts. They’re not a safety warning, and they don’t tell you whether a food is good for you.

All produce can be part of a healthy diet

Conventional and organic fruit and vegetables can both be nourishing choices. What matters most is eating plenty of them.

Simple tips

  • Wash fruit and vegetables before eating.
  • Choose seasonal produce when you can; it’s often fresher and cheaper.
  • Buy what fits your budget. Frozen and tinned options count too.

If you already follow a special eating plan, keep to it and let these ideas fit around it.

How little is enough

Next time you shop, add one extra fruit or vegetable to your basket, whatever its sticker says.

For more, read Organic food: what it means and how to choose simply.

If you’d like a little more help at the table, there’s a gentle guide to everyday eating on the Guides page.