Why are there Stickers on Fruit?

Why? Because even though they are annoying for consumers, retailers all over the world rely on the tiny numbers on them at the cash register, because you can’t put barcodes on fruit.

The numbers are called PLU codes (price look-up codes) and they have been around since 1990. The PLU code usually consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has five numbers and begins with a 9. So, a banana is 4011 and an organically grown banana is 94011. Now, it also has been claimed that a genetically engineered banana would be 84011, however no one has ever seen one of these because, presumably, no one would buy them. The glue is food safe but do try to avoid eating the pesky stickers.

It is a voluntary system and it can be used for any item on sale really, including fish and meat, but it’s most useful with fruit. Marketers occasionally promote a movie on the stickers and while this offends some, it can help kids eat more fruit by making those products stand out at supermarkets. So there you have it. You be the judge.

Photo: Wikipedia, Sven Teschke