Can You Eat the Stickers on Fruits and Vegetables?

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the stickers on fruits and vegetables are not harmful if accidentally ingested. This fact, however, doesn't mean they are designed for consumption, raising the crucial question: can you eat the stickers on fruits and vegetables?

Quick Summary

Though made with food-safe materials, the small paper or plastic labels on produce are not intended to be eaten. They have no nutritional value and are not digestible, but accidental ingestion is not dangerous for most people, though they can pose a choking hazard for young children.

Key Points

Not Edible: While the materials are non-toxic and FDA-compliant for incidental contact, fruit stickers are not intended to be eaten and are indigestible.
Food-Safe vs. Edible: FDA compliance means the sticker's materials won't harm food they touch, not that they are safe for regular consumption like food.
No Nutritional Value: Produce stickers offer no nutrients, and the paper or plastic base and adhesive are not broken down by the human digestive system.
Choking Hazard: For young children, the small size of produce stickers presents a choking risk and should be removed promptly.
Environmental Concern: Most standard produce stickers are not compostable or biodegradable and can contaminate commercial composting systems.
Remove and Wash: The safest practice is to always remove the sticker and wash the produce thoroughly before consumption to eliminate any potential residues.
PLU Codes: The numbers on the stickers, or Price Look-Up codes, indicate whether the produce is conventionally grown (four digits) or organic (five digits starting with a '9').

Understanding Produce Stickers: More Than Just a Price Tag

Those small labels, often adorned with a brand logo and a series of numbers, are officially known as Price Look-Up (PLU) codes. They serve a vital purpose in the global food supply chain, helping grocery store cashiers identify and price fresh produce accurately. The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) assigns and regulates these codes, which have been in use since the early 1990s to streamline checkout processes and manage inventory. Beyond their function in retail, these stickers provide consumers with key information about the produce, namely its growing method.

What are PLU codes telling you?

The numbers on the stickers are not random; they offer insight into how the fruit or vegetable was grown. Here is a simple breakdown:

Four-digit code: This indicates conventionally grown produce. These items were likely grown using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. For example, a conventionally grown banana is often labeled with the code 4011.
Five-digit code starting with '9': This signifies that the produce is certified organic. The code is essentially the four-digit conventional code with a '9' added to the beginning. An organic banana, for instance, would have the code 94011.
Five-digit code starting with '8': This code was once reserved for genetically modified (GMO) produce. However, it was never widely adopted by retailers, so you are unlikely to see it today.

The Materials: Are They Actually 'Edible'?

This is where the confusion often arises. Produce stickers are made from three primary components: the label's face material (paper or plastic), the adhesive, and the ink. Critically, all three must be FDA-compliant, meaning they meet regulations for safe, direct contact with food. This is a crucial distinction: food-safe does not equate to edible.

Composition of a typical produce sticker

Face Material: The label itself is often made of either paper or a type of food-safe plastic. While the paper component might seem benign, neither material offers any nutritional benefit and they are not digestible.
Adhesive: The glue used to stick the label to the fruit or vegetable is also food-grade, ensuring that any residual adhesive left on the fruit's skin after peeling is non-toxic. This adhesive is designed for incidental contact, not consumption.
Ink: The ink used to print the PLU code and brand logo is also non-toxic and food-safe, regulated for contact with consumables.

Comparison: Standard vs. Edible Stickers

As sustainability and consumer health become greater concerns, some producers are exploring alternatives to traditional labels. Below is a comparison of standard stickers and emerging edible versions.

Why You Still Shouldn't Eat Them (Even Accidentally)

While accidentally eating a produce sticker is generally not a cause for panic, it is not something to be done on purpose. The core reasons are twofold: health and digestion. The materials are simply not meant to be food. Ingesting plastic, in particular, contributes to the overall presence of microplastics in our bodies, the long-term effects of which are not yet fully understood. The stickers also offer absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever. For young children, the stickers can also present a potential choking hazard. The best practice is always to remove the sticker and wash the produce thoroughly before consumption.

Sustainable Alternatives: A Glimpse into the Future

The environmental impact of plastic-based produce stickers is not insignificant, especially within commercial composting facilities. This has led to the development of more sustainable options. One notable innovation is laser-etching, where the PLU code is permanently and harmlessly burned onto the skin of the fruit or vegetable. This eliminates the need for any physical label, preserving compostability. Another alternative is the rise of truly edible, compostable stickers made from rice paper or plant-based materials. As consumer demand for sustainable packaging grows, these options will likely become more prevalent.

Conclusion: Peel, Wash, and Enjoy Safely

To answer the central question, while the materials on produce stickers are regulated to be food-safe for incidental contact and are not acutely toxic if accidentally eaten, they are not edible and should not be consumed. They are indigestible, provide no nutritional benefit, and contribute to plastic waste. The best and safest course of action is to always peel off the sticker, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove any residue, and dispose of the label properly. By doing so, you can enjoy your produce with complete peace of mind, knowing you've taken the right steps for your health and the environment.

International Fresh Produce Association: About PLU Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

If you accidentally eat a fruit sticker, it is unlikely to cause any harm. The materials are non-toxic, and the sticker will likely pass through your digestive system without being broken down.

No, fruit stickers are not toxic. All components, including the face material, adhesive, and ink, are regulated by the FDA to be food-safe for incidental contact with produce.

No, most standard fruit stickers are not edible. While some companies are developing truly edible stickers made from starch or rice paper, the typical stickers found in grocery stores are not meant to be eaten.

Yes, especially for young children, fruit stickers can pose a choking hazard due to their small size. Always remove them before giving produce to a child.

Fruit stickers are typically made of a thin paper or food-safe plastic film, a food-grade adhesive, and a non-toxic, food-safe ink.

Yes, you should always wash your produce thoroughly, even after removing the sticker. This helps remove any adhesive residue, dirt, bacteria, and pesticides.

Yes, most traditional fruit stickers are made with materials that are not biodegradable or compostable, so they contribute to landfill waste. This is particularly an issue for commercial composting facilities, which must screen them out.