Thousands of happy Australian customers | 3m+ Barcodes sold globally | 10,000+ daily scans
PLU Codes
What are the codes on fruits and vegetables?
What code do I need for loose fruit and vegetables?
PLU codes are 4- or 5-digit numbers found on small stickers on individual produce items. They identify different products at the checkout e.g. type of apple, conventional or organic products and so ensure accurate pricing.
Supermarkets have used PLU Codes, or Price Look-Up codes, since 1990 to facilitate checkout and inventory control. PLU codes are primarily assigned to identify individual bulk fresh produce (and related items such as nuts and herbs). The code will appear on a small sticker applied to the individual fresh produce item. The PLU code identifies produce items based on various attributes, including the commodity, the variety, the growing methodology (e.g., organic), and the size group (large, small). For example, a conventional small Granny Smith apple will have a different 4-digit PLU code than a large Granny Smith apple.
The 4-digit codes represent conventionally grown produce.
5-digit codes, with a prefix of ‘9,’ represent organic produce.
No, the PLU system is voluntary and based on business needs. It is not regulated by a governmental agency. Specifically, no regulatory body requires a PLU code sticker on loose produce. Labelling produce with PLU codes is typically required by the retail industry to assist with point-of-sale (POS) identification. Most medium to large retailers in various countries expect a PLU on loose products.
Some products use PLU codes, while others do not. Sometimes, using a PLU sticker doesn’t make sense, such as for green beans or mushrooms. Fixed weight products such as a 10kg sack of potatoes or a 500g bag of grapes will use EAN-13 barcodes. However, stores may display PLU codes on signage or use other methods for these types of commodities. For loose items like apples or oranges, they apply PLU stickers or tags. The principal objective of PLU codes is to create a standard code that becomes the building block for system-wide electronic data communication.
No, the PLU coding system is voluntary and used primarily for retailer POS identification. The only requirement for the sticker is the 4- or 5-digit number. If the sticker has enough retail space, you can place additional information as desired.
For maximum legibility at checkout, each digit in the PLU code should be a minimum 14-point type size. There is no maximum size. With the introduction of DataBar on the label, the average point size recommended is between 10 point and 12 point. The PLU code should be printed in high contrast to the background. Black print on a white background is ideal. The higher the contrast, the better the legibility. At all times, remember that the numbers must be read quickly and accurately when viewed by a checkout cashier. Please print the PLU sticker so the number is the most prominent element on the label. The PLU number should appear as large as possible on the label.
