Price Look-Up codes

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These apples have PLU stickers with the number 4130 on them, identifying them as Pink Lady apples

Price Look-Up codes or Product Lookup Numbers, commonly called PLU codes, PLU numbers or PLUs, are identification numbers affixed to produce and other products in grocery stores and supermarkets to make check-out and inventory control easier, faster, and more accurate. The code is a four-digit number, currently in the 0-4999 range, identifying the type of bulk produce, usually including the variety. Organic produce is denoted by a five-digit number whose first digit is 9 (e.g. 94011 for organic bananas); an 8 prefix indicates genetically modified food. The codes have been in use since 1990. Currently, there are over 1300 universal PLU codes assigned.

Price look-up codes are generally printed on small stickers or tags, and are considered inconvenient by some. Various new technologies are under consideration, including etching using lasers and printing or "tattooing" using ink made from substances such as blueberry juice.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Tired of Prying Off Stickers? Tattooed Fruit Is on the Way" The New York Times, July 19, 2005

[edit] External links

• Alphabetical listing of common PLU Codes
• Numerical listing of common PLU Codes
• The International Federation for Produce Coding (IFPC)
• Nine Every Time (PDF file)

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