Price Look-Up codes, commonly called PLU codes, PLU numbers or PLUs, are identification numbers affixed to produce and other products in grocery stores and supermarkets to make check-out and inventory control easier, faster, and more accurate.
The codes have been in use since 1990. Currently, there are over 1300 universal PLU codes assigned. The code is a four or five-digit number, identifying the type of bulk produce, usually including the variety.
~ Organic produce is denoted by a five-digit number whose first digit is 9. Example: 94129 is organic Fuji apple
~ Conventional produce has a four-digit number starting with 4 or 3. Example: 3013 is conventional Hardy pear
~ Genetically Modified produce: there was a saying that a five-digit code starting with 8 indicates GMO food, but this is not true according to Produce Marking Association. In fact, it is almost impossible to find fruit with this label in the retailer.
Use of PLU codes eliminates the need for grocery store checkers to identify each variety of produce visually. This advantage is especially important with the growth of the organic produce market; organic and conventional oranges, for example, may look the same but have very different prices.
The system is administered by the International Federation for Produce Standards, an affiliate of the Produce Marketing Association.
