Tip of the Week

Organic By the Numbers

Processed organic food products must carry the "USDA Certified Organic" seal [Correction: The USDA seal is optional for processed organic products]. But the tiny "thumb nail" sticker on individual pieces of fresh fruit may have little more than the word "organic" and a PLU code number. The PLU (or Product Look-Up) code on organic produce begins with a 9 and is 5 numbers long (not 3 or 4 as with non-organic produce). It's not as good as the USDA Certified Organic certification, but by checking the PLU code, it's as close as one can come to a double check to see if an item labeled "organic" is actually organic. For more label reading tips, click here.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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