Day Fifteen

Organic vs. Genetically Modified Produce:

Today at Whole Foods I wanted to pick up bell peppers for paleo shepards pie and was frustrated that I could not find organic peppers.  It got me thinking about other distinctions in ways food are produced.  So we have organic and conventionally grown food, what about those that are not organic and have been genetically modified? Is there a way to determine the which produce has been genetically modified? Does organic even matter or it is just a marketing ploy?


Check out this little girl's experiment and the differences she found between organic and conventional sweet potatoes.  

Some sources claim "the PLU code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, tells you how the fruit was grown.  
Here's how it supposedly works:

For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8. For example,




A conventionally grown banana would be:
4011

An organic banana would be:
94011

A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be:
84011
Unfortunately, the use of the 8 in the PLU code is completely optional.  According to The Examiner it is true that fresh produce in supermarkets in labeled with a code to identify it, the code is meant to help retailers with inventory, pricing and identification.  The use of the 8 or 9 is completely optional.  
There is a movement however to require genetically modified produce be properly labeled.  We have a vote and a voice in what we buy and what we eat.  Check out these upcoming events and spread the word.