When you see the little stickers on produce at the grocery store, those stickers are actually a secret language the producers and grocery stores use to communicate about the produce. You might be surprised what those tiny stickers are saying if you could understand this language.

The stickers say more than just the brand and price, and when you find out what else they’re saying, you might not want to buy that shiny red apple, or beautiful banana after all. The PLU code, or set of numbers on the little label reveal much more than you might want to know.

The PLU code will actually tell the buyer how the fruit was grown. For example, the code will indicate if the product is genetically modified or grown organically. When there are just four numbers on the PLU sticker, this means your fruit was grown using pesticides. Sellers call this type of farming “traditional” or “conventional” farming, but it simply means that your produce has been sprayed with chemicals.

If your produce has five numbers in the PLU and the number starts with an “8”, this should be a warning to you that your fruit was genetically modified in a lab. Scientists tamper with foods genetic makeup to make it more resistant to pests and make it grow bigger. If you want to avoid these types of foods, look for a five number PLU code that begins with “8.”

If your produce has five numbers and begins with the number “9”, this means the farmer didn’t use any pesticides or genetically modify the produce. The food has been organically grown if it has a five number PLU code and starts with the number “9.”

Every piece of produce typically receives a PLU sticker, and although they use a food grade adhesive to attach the sticker, the sticker itself is not safe to consume. Be sure you remove the sticker before chomping down on your favorite piece of fruit.

In addition to how foods are labeled when it comes to PLU codes, the Environmental Working Group has made two lists that people might want to consider when shopping for fruits and vegetables. The first list is called the “Dirty Dozen.”

The “Dirty Dozen” list means that these fruits and vegetables are farmed using conventional methods and are typically high in water content allowing them to absorb more poisons that are passed on to you. The dirtiest of the dozen are apples, celery, peaches, strawberries, and nectarines.

Some fruits and vegetables have a natural resistance to pests and don’t need as many pesticides, or they need chemicals that don’t get stuck in the food itself. This list is called the “Clean Fifteen” and includes avocados, pineapple, cabbage, sweet corn, and sweet peas.

The more you know about food, the better choices you can make for you and your family. Be sure to like and share this story to spread the word so others can be more conscientious about the food choices they are making.