You've noticed that tiny stickers that now appear on almost
all fruit, and probably been annoyed that you have to peel
each one off. These contain bar codes for the check-out
clerk, but they also contain a secret the store might not
want you to know.
Nutritionist Karma Metzgar of the University of Missouri writes
that these stickers also tell you if the fruit is organic or
genetically-modified. On conventionally-grown, non-organic
fruit, the sticker has only 4 numbers. Organically grown fruit
has a five-numeral code, which begins with the number 9.
Since organic fruits and vegetables now have to be in
separate areas in grocery stores, this confirms that your
apple hasn't ended up in the wrong pile. However, the store
does not have to reveal which fruits and vegetables are
genetically-modified?but you can find out by looking at their
stickers, which will begin with the number 8.
According to Metzgar, this means a regular banana would
have a sticker saying 4011, an organic banana would say
94011 and a GM banana would say 84011.
Lots of people complain that the stickers are too hard to peel
off, so it may be a relief to know that the adhesive is safe to
eat.
What's the secret behind the mysterious
blue apples? Good news for William Henry fans: he has a
new book coming to our store in time for Christmas.
For more information, click here.
