If you’ve been reading our posts both here and at www.miritturley.com, you know that we have been advocating clear labeling on genetically modified food. The FDA hasn’t listened to our voices, congress hasn’t listened to us either. However there is good news, thanks to the need for grocers to use price scanners for inventory and pricing purposes, we do have a clear labeling system for fruits and vegetables.
Here is an explanation of the codes on produce stickers and how to know which produce are conventionally grown with pesticides, organic, and genetically modified. You’ve noticed that tiny stickers that now appear on almost all produce, and probably been annoyed that you have to peel each one off. These contain bar codes for the check-out clerk, but they also contain a secret Monsanto and the store might not want you to know.
You can now take this information with you when food shopping.
Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, which use pesticides and chemicals have a 4 digit code.
Organically grown fruits and vegetables have a 5 digit code that begins with 9
Genetically Modified Fruits and vegetable have a 5 digit code that begins with an 8. Stores don’t have to reveal which fruits and vegetables are genetically modified, but they still need to keep track of the different types of foods they buy and sell.
A conventionally grown banana would have a sticker displaying the numbers 4011, an organic banana would have the numbers 94011 and a GM banana would be 84011.
Unfortunately we still don’t have labeling on any other products that contain GMO’s. In order to avoid them, look for products that voluntarily state that they do not contain GMO’s and buy organic. Any other produced products bought in the US, chances are they now contain GMOs, especially if they contain, corn, or soy products.
So the next time you are grumbling about having to peel off a sticker off your apple or zucchini, be grateful that the supermarket industry for trying to be the most efficient it can be.
Remember a 5 digit code with the prefix 8 is a Genetically Modified product.
A 5 digit sticker with the prefix 9 is certified organic.
** By the way, if you spread the word about this information and speak to your grocer, they may just start some clear labeling in your store.
