When you are browsing through the produce section at your local grocery store, you might notice small stickers with a series of numbers on them. These stickers are known as PLU codes, which stand for “Price Look Up” codes. PLU codes have been a staple in supermarkets since 1990, making checkout and inventory control easier for cashiers and grocery store markets. But beyond their practical point of sale and stock-taking use, PLU codes can also provide valuable information about the produce you’re buying. Checking the PLU codes of produce can help you make more informed decisions about your food choices once you know how to identify them.
What Are PLU Codes?
PLU codes are a system of numbers that uniquely identify different types of produce. The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS), a global organization, administers these codes and standardizes them across different countries. Currently, IFPS has assigned over 1,400 unique PLU codes to various fruits and vegetables. You’ll typically find these codes on small stickers attached to individual pieces of produce, which cashiers scan at checkout to quickly identify the item and its price.
