What Do Produce Stickers Tell us?

According to Raw Earth Living, 7 out of 10 items in the grocery store have been Genetically Modified.  Not a big deal when you can read labels and sift through it all until you find something you're fine with feeding your family.  But how do you know if you're fruits and veggies are passing the test?  Obviously they don't come with ingredient labels.

You may already know, but that little sticker on the fresh produce tells you if it's genetically modified, organic, or conventionally grown, which simply means it's been treated with chemicals such as pesticides.

If the sticker on your apple has a 4-digit number that begins with a 4, you know that it was conventionally grown, or it was sprayed with chemicals and bug replants before it was harvested.

If the sticker has a 5-digit number with a 9 on the front of it, you know that it's organic.  Organic is good.  Especially with apples and potatoes as they both retain more pesticides than most other produce.  If you can't afford organic, simply peel them before you eat or cook them.  This way, you're not eating as many of the chemicals.

If the number on the sticker is a 5-digit number that begins with an 8, the sticker is telling you that this particular produce item in Genetically Modified = BAD!!  Remember, "we hate 8s"...this is how I remember and avoid such produce.  The term "Genetically Modified" or "GMO"  means that the genes have been changed and manipulated to produce a larger or more colorful food item.   Sadly, it's all about the money.

So, let's review....

Conventional produce {items that have been sprayed with chemical pesticides and herbicides} have a 4 digit number.
Organic produce {items grown without cancer causing chemicals and pesticides} have a 5 digit number that begins with a 9.  Remember: "9s are fine! ~  We hate 8!"
Genetically Modified produce {items that are no longer natural due to man's manipulation} have a 5 digit number as well, however they start with an 8..."which is NOT Great!!  We hate 8!!"

photo credit

Example:

4401 is the code for a conventionally grown peach.

94401 is the code for the same type of peach that was grown organically, or without all the chemicals. {and 9s are just fine!}

84401 is the code for the same type of peach that has been Genetically Modified.  {and do we hate 8's??  Yes!  We do!!}  :) 

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