How To I.D. Genetically Modified Food at the Supermarket

by Spence Cooper on 05/27/09 at 9:00 am

: Image via Wikipedia

Not many consumers realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled. That’s because the FDA has decided that you, dear consumer, don’t care if the tomato you’re eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather. Some consumers may not be concerned with eating Frankenfood, but for those who are, here’s how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you’re buying are (GM) genetically modified.

Hat tip to Marion Owen for her valuable information.

Here’s how it works:

For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.

For example,

A conventionally grown banana would be:

4011

An organic banana would be:

94011

A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be:

84011

Eat healthy, buy or grow organic.

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