Just an FYI..if you want to stay away from genetically modified food look at the sticker on produce.. because the store doesn't have to tell you it is....
The organization charged with creating the PLU is the Produce Electronic Identification Board of the Produce Marketing Association. Similar to universal product codes?the UPC bar code found on packages products?PLUs mark fruit with a 4-or 5-digit number depending on how they are grown.
Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables have 4 digit numbers, and generally start with a 3 or a 4; organically grown fruits and vegetables have 5 digits and start with a 9; genetically modified produce also have 5 digits and begin with an 8. For example, the PLU for a conventionally grown banana is 4011; an organic banana is coded 94011; and a genetically modified banana is 84011.
A database of PLU numbers is available free of charge for the curious consumer from the International Federation for Produce Coding at
www.plucodes.com (to access the database, click on ?Search PLU Codes? and sign in with ?personal interest?). Currently, more than 1300 universal PLU codes are assigned to produce and related items.
The USDA strictly regulates food labeled organic through the National Organic Program. By definition, food that is certified organic must be free from all genetically modified organisms, produced without artificial pesticides and fertilizers, and come from an animal reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs. Labeling of organic food is voluntary, but all foods that claim to be organic, must meet the guidelines set forth by the USDA.
Genetically engineered food is not as easy to define and requirements for labeling have been slow in coming. The FDA created guidelines in 1992 to clarify terms and create safety measures for developers of bioengineered foods and has since then provided additional guidance to industry.