@@*%! Little Stickers on My Fruit
I curse the little stickers affixed to each and every apple I buy. I figure I’ve wasted at least 5 cumulative lifetime minutes peeling the irritating little things off of fruit, and what for?
Turns out those micro-labels have macro details. They’re called Price Lookup Codes, or PLUs (not, oddly, PLCs) and they carry a distinct four-digit code that identifies the Fuji Apples from the Galas, and Mangos from the Plums. And if you know how to read a PLU (and who doesn’t, really?) you can learn the backstory on what you’re about to buy.
Conventionally grown fruit feature a four-digit code. If it has a five-digit code it ain’t from your garden. PLUs beginning with a 9 preceding the four digits are organically grown. And an ominous 8 means it’s been genetically engineered. Seems like I’d want to know that.
Nowadays the stickers are vinyl affixed with food-grade adhesive, and feature a little tab to help you grip it and rip it. My question is why they’re not printed on edible paper, saving me valuable time, and eliminating the presence of little re-stuck labels all over the magazines on my table.
Just saying.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Not to worry Tom… Stickers will eventually be going away in favor of “Tattooed Fruit.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/19/dining/19fruit.html