Nov 3, 2009 11:57 pm US/Pacific
Cracking The Code Of Produce Stickers
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
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Produce Label: Conventionally Grown
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Produce Label: Genetically Modified
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Produce Label: Organically Grown
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They're the little stickers that drive shoppers crazy.
Price Lookup Labels -- those small colorful stickers you see on practically every piece of fruit these days -- contain a wealth of information for both stores and shoppers.
To review the produce label codes, enlarge the image on the right and click through the three different types.
Jack Cupp, a consultant to the produce industry, said growers and shippers attach the labels in the field or shipping facility, so they're already on the piece of produce before it reaches the market. Cupp said the labels were originally created to help busy cashiers figure out what's in your basket.
Look closely and you'll see each sticker contains a four or five digit code. In addition to identifing the specific variety of fruit and vegetable, the code can also tell you
how that piece of produce was grown.
According to the International Federation for Produce Standards, a four digit code means the item is conventionally grown, most likely with pesticides and fertilizers.
A five digit code starting with "9" means the product was organically grown.
A five digit code starting with "8" means the product is genetically modified.
A new generation of Price Lookup Labels with barcodes is also showing up in supermarkets. Consultant Jack Cupp said those labels can provide even more information such the grower and shipper, information that would come in handy in case of a recall.
Love 'em or hate 'em the stickers are sticking around. Cupp says they've enabled supermarkets to sell a much greater variety of items, with fewer pricing errors.
And don't worry if you eat one. Cupp said the labels are edible and compostable.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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