What the Numbers on Fruit Stickers Really Mean Fruit stickers do more than just help the cashier scan your items—they also give clues about how the fruit was grown. 5-digit code starting with 9: The fruit is organically grown. 5-digit code starting with 8: The fruit is genetically modified (GMO). These are less common due to controversy and limited GMO produce. 4-digit code starting with 3 or 4: The fruit is conventionally grown, meaning synthetic fertilizers and pesticides were likely used. Conventional vs. Organic While many believe organic is healthier, research shows little nutritional difference. The main difference lies in fertilizer and pest control methods—organic uses compost and natural treatments, conventional uses synthetics. Behind the Codes These codes, known as PLU (Price Look-Up) codes, were introduced in the 1990s by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) to improve supply chain efficiency. Over 1,400 codes exist, though using them is optional. Knowing what those little numbers mean can help you make informed choices—and even speed up the self-checkout line
