Food Traceability Codes/Fruits and vegetables

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IFPS (International Federation for Produce Standards)

  • IFPS is the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) is composed of national produce associations from around the globe.The long term objective of the federation is to improve the supply chain efficiency of the fresh produce industry through developing, implementing and managing harmonized international standards. IFPS was previously known as The International Federation for Produce Coding (IFPC), IFPS is a coalition of fruit and vegetable associations from the around the globe that joined together in 2001 as equal partners to pursue the task of introducing a global standard for the use of international Price Look-Up (PLU) numbers.
  • Members: Asociacion de Exportadores de Chile, Canadian Horticultural Council, Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Fresh Produce Consortium (UK), Frug I Com (Netherlands), Norges Frukt-og Gronnsaksgrossisters Forbund (Norway), Produce Marketing Association (US), Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand, United Fresh (New Zealand), United Fresh Produce Association (US)
  • Website: http://www.ifpsglobal.com/

PLU Codes

  • Système volontaire (non obligatoire) codifiant le type de produit (ex banane cavendish) mais ne donne aucune information sur la provenance

Regular PLU Codes

PLU or Price Look Up codes have been used by supermarkets since 1990 to make check-out and inventory control easier, faster and more accurate. PLU codes are used to identify bulk produce (and related items such as nuts and herbs). They tell the supermarket cashier whether an apple is a conventionally grown Fuji apple which may sell for $1.29 per pound versus an organically grown Fuji apple which may sell for $2.29 per pound. IFPS is the global organization that assigns PLU codes to produce items.

PLU codes are 4 or 5 digit numbers and will appear on a small sticker applied to the individual piece of fresh produce. The PLU number identifies produce items based upon various attributes which can include the commodity, variety, growing methodology (e.g. organic), and the size. These numbers are assigned by the IFPS after rigorous review at both national and international levels. PLU codes ensure that the accurate price is paid by consumers by removing the need for cashiers to identify the product and whether or not it is conventionally or organically grown.

The 4-digit PLU codes for produce are randomly assigned within a series of numbers within the 3000 and 4000 series. There is no intelligence built into the 4-digit code. For example, no one number within the 4-digit number represents anything in particular. The 4-digit codes are for conventionally grown produce. 5-digit codes are used to identify organic produce. The prefix of '9' would be placed in front of the 4-digit conventionally grown code for organic produce. You will not see the 5-digit codes in the PLU codes database since they are simply prefixes added on to the conventionally grown produce PLU codes.

The PLU coding system is voluntary, not mandate by any governing body. There are currently over 1400 PLU codes issued for fresh produce and produce related items.

Standardized Universal Product Codes (UPCs) for fresh fruits and vegetables are also available on a subscription basis through the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) website.


Retailer Assigned PLU Codes

Retailer Assigned PLU codes allow retailers to designate their own numbers for items that do not have a standard PLU code assigned. After a supplier makes specific arrangements with all retailers that will receive the item, a Retailer Assigned PLU code may be used. Each retailer may assign a different PLU code to the same item, so for items where multiple Retailer Assigned codes exist, we suggest you get the agreement in writing for your records. For some commodities where there are a large number of varieties, e.g. apples or oranges, a block of Retailer Assigned codes are available in the PLU codes database to identify these varieties which currently don't have a PLU code. Before selecting one to use, you must contact your retailer(s) to ensure they are not already using that code for another variety of that commodity.

Other Ressources

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