How Do I Know If I’m Eating GMO Foods?

How do I know if I’m eating GMO foods?  Maybe you don’t even know what GMOs are, then check out my post that explains Genetically Modified Organisms here.  Currently GMO crops in the U. S.  include:  94% soy, 90% cotton, 90% canola, 95% sugar beets, 88% corn, 50% Hawaiian papaya and 24,000 acres of zucchini and yellow squash. (Source)

A Price Look Up Code or PLU is an identification number that is usually a sticker, which is considered food grade, and is affixed to the produce in your local grocery store.  PLUs can make checkout easier, but is there meaning behind the numbers? First you must know that PLU codes are optional, so you will not see all produce have them.  The PLU codes were originally developed for the benefit of the suppliers to assist in inventory and pricing, not for the consumer.

The PLU number can tell you how the fruit was grown, if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides.  The code may be a four or five digits.  A fifth digit “may indicate a non-conventionally grown product, such as  organic or genetically modified.  However, it has been reported that most companies do not want you to know that their produce is GMO, so they do not use the assigned “8”.  Ugh!

Here is a short list of what the numbers mean:

• A “3 or 4” as the first digit indicates that the produce was conventionally grown or synthetically manufactured with chemical pesticides and weed killers during the growing season.
• An “8” as the first digit indicates that it has been genetically engineered produce or a GMO. 
• A “9” as the first digit indicates that the produce was grown organically and the farm has been certified organic by the National Organic Program.  No pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers have been used.
• “Clean 15” is produce grown with little to no pesticides, but is not certified organic.

For the official IFPS user guide, you can go here or you can easily look up your own PLU by going to the International Federation for Produce Standards. 

I did just that with a pear I purchased.  See my picture below:

1. Natural:  this means there are no artificial ingredients or added color.  This does not, however, guarantee that there were no hormones or synthetic fertilizers used.
2. Organic:  USDA organic certification indicates there was no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, GMOs, fertilizers in the growing process.
3. Local:  indicates that the produce was grown close to home, usually within 100 miles.
4. Conventional:  This food is typically brought in from outside the local region and maybe outside the country.
5. Grass Fed:  Animals are raised on grass or hay and have access to pasture.
6. Free Range:  Animals are not confined in small spaces and should have access to the outdoors.