What Do Those Veggie Lables Mean?

I'm going to veer away from herbs today and write about food in general. I just learned what those numbers on those sticky labels on fruit and vegetables mean. We all hate having to peel those labels off, but did you ever read them? What do they mean? My grandson used to work in a grocery store and I learned from him that they were PLU numbers that told the cash register what the item was, but I just found out that they tell much more.

Here's a rhyme that will help you remember: 4 is a bore, 8 you should hate, 9 is fine.

The 4 means that it's commercially grown and not organic.
If the four digit number is preceded by an 8 it means it is genetically modified (GMO).
If the four digit number is preceded by a 9 it means that it is organically grown.

Now I understand the pros of GMO - millions of people who would otherwise starve are fed because GMO produce makes a more abundant crop. But many scientists are concerned about the safety of GMO foods. There haven't been any long-term studies that show the effects of GMO's on the human body. Since our processed food doesn't have to signify if it's made with GMO's we don't know how much of this is in our system, and what effect it's having on our bodies.

I can't stress enough to read labels. Learn the significance of some of those words you can't pronounce. Learn what the numbers mean (like the ones on fruit and vegetables). Be an informed shopper. Your health is your responsibility. Protect it.