Organic ??? Conventional??? or GM food???

[Jacques]

Here's an article to help us to identify if fruits or veggies have been conventionally produced.

From: _http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/supermarket-numbers-game

What's the probability your supermarket plums are genetically modified?

The Bite:
Plum dandy (um, pretty high). But we'll help you crunch the numbers: the little stickers on fruits and veggies have digits that let you know whether they're conventionally grown or organic, and if they're genetically modified (GM).

The Benefits:
Better odds for your body. GM foods have been in stores only since the 1990s, so we don't know the long-term health risks, and in a 1998 EPA sampling, 29% of the foods tested contained detectable pesticides.
Less of an eco-gamble. Scientists are concerned that GMOs will reduce biodiversity.
Winning the taste-bud lottery. Foodies all over the world agree that the range of possible flavors is greater when we just let Mother Nature do her thing.

Personally Speaking:
Those stickers used to annoy us because they're not always easy to peel off, but now we have a newfound appreciation for the little buggers.

Wanna Try:
Look for the labels stuck on your fruits and veggies:
A four-digit number means it's conventionally grown.
A five-digit number beginning with 9 means it's organic.
A five-digit number beginning with 8 means it's GM.

 

[Nienna]

Here's an article to help us to identify if fruits or veggies have been conventionally produced.

From: _http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/supermarket-numbers-game

Thanks for this very good tip Namaste! I'll be lookin' at the stickers a little closer next grocery trip.

 

[Green_Manalishi]

Is this an international numbering system for fruits and vegetables (like bar codes) or is it specific for some country?

 

[Jacques]

Is this an international numbering system for fruits and vegetables (like bar codes) or is it specific for some country?

I do not have the data so far to answer that question. The article has been published in the USA, which means it must be operational in the USA. And living in Canada, i can say (at least in my province) it is the same thing for the 4 digits and the 5 digits beginning with a 9. I have not seen so far a 5 digits beginning with a 8.

Maybe, members of this forum living in other countries could verify that and let's us know if it is the same system?

 

[Oxajil]

I'd also like to thank you for posting this!

Yesterday, I checked the sticker on a grapefruit and it has a 4-digit number. So perhaps the same applies to Europe?

 

[seekr]

The below link gives some info on how to spot GM, Conventional and Organic produce in the market (at least in the USA). Hope this helps to navigate the horror known as the US food supply :P


Here are the basics...

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

original article _http://www.plantea.com/genetically-modified-foods.htm

 

[Gimpy]

Its still important to check ingredient lists. Even those with designated organic or conventional numbers may still contain pesticide laden oils like cottonseed, safflower, and soybean...soybean is especially nasty, as almost all soybeans in the US are GMO and not required to be labeled.

I've also found that many of the 'combination oils' used in fish or fish oil combined with borage or evening primrose oils also contain soybean oil, so its important to check everything, and when in doubt, don't buy it.

 

[Jacques]

Hi seekr,

I have merged your post in that thread since it is about the same thing.

 

[seekr]

Sorry, I hadn't noticed this thread before

Thanks Gandalf,