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Once you decide to go organic, it’s hard to turn back. But how can you be totally sure that all your produce is certified USDA Organic?
It’s actually pretty simple: check the label!
Yes, that tiny sticker isn’t just there to help cashiers key in the right code when they ring you up at the checkout.
The labels, and their codes, are put in place to help you figure out if you’re buying the right fruits and veggies.
So let’s break down these codes:
- Code with 4 digits: Bad news—this means your fruit was probably grown with pesticides and tons of chemicals. If you’re looking for something pesticide-free, avoid 4-digit codes at all costs.
- Code with 5 digits (starting with the number 8): Here’s where things actually start getting a little tricky. A 5-digit code starting with the number 8 pretty much means your fruit was genetically modified and grown with pesticides.
- Code with 5 digits (starting with the number 9): Now this is what you’re looking for! As long as you see 5 digits starting with the number 9, you’re golden. This almost always means your fruit is certified organic.
Why should you care?
Here’s the thing: it takes a lot for a farmer to sell certified USDA Organic produce. In order to make sure a single piece of fruit isn’t loaded with pesticides and harmful chemicals, a farmer has to wait years after testing the soil to grow anything on the land. All these hoops are put in place to ensure that you and your family are eating only the cleanest, most natural produce possible.
