Label and Twist Tie Code Deciphering

Every once in awhile something insignificant gets me to thinking about why, what or how.  This time it was the label on an apple.

I went searching to find out what the code on the label actually meant.  Here is what I found, according to Dr. Franklin Lipman.

"Although they seem like a nuisance, the stickers or labels attached to fruit and some vegetables have more of a function than helping scan the price at the checkout stand. The PLU code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, also tells you how the fruit was grown. By reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides.

Here are the basics of what you should know:
If there are only four numbers in the PLU, this means that the produce was grown conventionally or “traditionally” with the use of pesticides. The last four letters of the PLU code are simply what kind of vegetable or fruit. An example is that all bananas are labeled with the code of 4011.
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “8″, this tells you that the item is a genetically modified fruit or vegetable. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables trump being organic. So, it is impossible to eat organic produce that are grown from genetically modified seeds. A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
If there are five numbers in the PLU code, and the number starts with “9″, this tells you that the produce was grown organically and is not genetically modified. An organic banana would be: 94011

Incidentally, the adhesive used to attach the stickers is considered food-grade, but the stickers themselves aren’t edible."  

If you visit Dr. Lipman's site you will find that some of the commenters have more info and some not so wonderful thoughts about this coding.  Interesting.

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While I was thinking about codes anyway, I decided to revisit the twist tie color codes on bread.  I can never remember them.  Here is the color code.

The most commonly-used code for 5-day a week delivery is is blue for Monday, green for Tuesday, red for Thursday, white for Friday, and yellow for Saturday.

When I gave this a little more thought it occurred to me that the store shelf-stockers should be the ones who are most aware of this code so that they can remove the old stuff.  We are stuck with what they have no matter when it was made.  I guess it is our choice not to buy the baked good if it is too old.

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Then I came upon the decipher of the Target label. 

If the price ends in 8, it will be marked down again. If it ends in a 4, its the lowest it will be. Targets mark down schedule. - MONDAY: Kids Clothing, Stationery (office supplies, gift wrap), Electronics. TUESDAY: Womens Clothing and Domestics. WEDNESDAY: Mens Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty. THURSDAY: Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares. FRIDAY: cosmetics.

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I hope that these bits of information help in your shopping selections.  I will probably have to print this out and carry it with me for reference since I cannot remember ....anything.

Today .... keep it simple and make it real.

Jeanne

 

Grocery Shopping Price Comparisons

Grocery shopping can be hell or it can be pleasant. I found it to be hell as a working mother because it was something on a list of to-do’s that had to be done.

Back in the late 70’s - early 80’s Massachusetts got rid of some Blue Laws that forbade certain types of stores to be open on Sunday. These laws went way back to the beliefs of the Pilgrims/Puritans and were tough to repeal. I hope my facts are straight on this. I don’t want to be accused of rewriting history.

I thought I had it made when the supermarkets were open on Sunday because I had another full day to get the shopping done. Such a relief! I think it was a tremendous uplift for all working people who had time crunches. The shopping task was not all that easy because of coupon clipping and price comparing.

There was no extra time to sit down and clip coupons and make lists of the least expensive product per ounce per store and then figure in the time and gas cost to drive from one store to another to save 5 cents!!

Now, of course, my lifestyle has changed as have my shopping habits. I could shop at 2 a.m. if I pleased. I do not please. I do not clip coupons very often because I find that the coupons are not for things I use. Traveling around from one store to another for the cheapest price on one item is a waste of time.

In light of all this, I am embarking on a grocery shopping research study of my own making. I have a printed list of everything I purchase regularly. I have made three columns - one for each of the most convenient grocery stores - and will enter the price of each item at each store. Whichever store has the largest saving margin will get my business. No more fooling around. There may be one exception, however. I purchase all paper products at Dollar General and will continue to do so unless the prices at one of the other stores can beat them.

The research starts today. I will let you know how it all turns out.