Why Fruit Labels Matter More Than You Think

You know that little label sticker on your apple, or large label on your watermelon or banana? The one you probably peel off and toss without a second thought? It might seem insignificant, but fruit stickers are doing a lot more work behind the scenes than you might expect.

From helping grocery stores monitor their fresh produce sales and category management, to tracing your food’s journey across the globe, those labels are powerful tools in the fresh produce world. Here’s why they matter more than you think.

1. Fruit Stickers Are Packed with Information

Fruit stickers are not just there for show. They usually contain a PLU (Price Look-Up) code, which helps grocery stores identify what type of fruit consumers are buying. The code tells the cashier whether it’s organic, conventionally grown, or genetically modified. For example, a banana labeled with a PLU code starting with 9 is organic. If the code starts with a 4, it is conventionally grown.

That sticker makes the checkout process faster and more accurate. Without these codes, imagine the confusion when pricing hundreds of fruit varieties every day.

In addition to PLU codes, these labels often include a country of origin, which helps you know where your fruit or vegetable came from. It’s a simple way to make informed choices about the food your customers are eating.

2. LABELPAC Labels Help Trace Food Across the Globe

Today’s fruit doesn’t just come from your local farm. In fact, much of it travels thousands of miles before it ends up in your kitchen. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, nearly 45 percent of all fresh fruit consumed in the United States in 2022 was imported.

That means traceability is more important than ever. If there’s a recall or food safety issue, fruit labels can be used to trace the product back to its origin. This ensures faster responses and better public safety.

Fresh produce labels provide essential tracking data that can prevent widespread contamination or illness. A small label might be the link between a local store and an international farm. LABELPAC offers Real-Time Print and Apply on Demand traceability and sequential food trace-back information which allows our farms, growers, and packers of Fresh Produce to add item-level traceability to each fruit or vegetable from our small labels on apples, kiwi, citrus, to our large 3” x 2” labels for watermelon, Pumpkins and Squash.

3. Custom Fruit Labels Boost Branding

You may have noticed that some PLU fruit stickers look a little more exciting than others. A happy cartoon banana or a sticker with a QR code might catch your eye. These are not just fun designs. They are part of a marketing strategy to build brand recognition and customer loyalty.

Custom fruit labels help produce growers, packers and shippers stand out in a crowded market. When you start to recognize a particular brand for its juicy oranges or crisp apples, that label becomes more than just a piece of paper. It turns into a symbol of quality and trust.

Some labels even offer added features like scannable QR codes linking to farm info, recipe ideas, or promotions. They are small marketing tools with big potential. LABELPAC offers specialized professional label design options, we work with your marketing team to help bring your brands to market and stand out above other brands.

4. Labeling Equipment Powers the Sticker Process

Ever wondered how every single apple or peach ends up with a perfectly placed fruit label? That’s the job of LABELPAC’s fresh produce labeling equipment. Our high-tech machines as well as our support, are the preferred choice for growers and packers in the Fresh Produce World. We use precision hybrid servo motor technology coupled with robust solid machined components and a solid design to give the operator the best user-friendly experience.

LABELPAC offers a multitude of fruit labeling machine options:

• Print and Apply On-Demand systems: These high-speed label applicator machines use generic labels with pre-printed logos or blank labels. All variable information such as variety name, bar codes, traceability information is printed in real-time at the time of application. You can also use this same system and apply fully pre-printed labels. These labeling machines are typically mounted onto a Grader or Sizer, with a moving conveyor at high-speeds. The MOTOHEAD® Print and Apply on-Demand option provides the grocery store retailers, and the end user customer with critical real-time food trace back information and confidence their food is safe.
• Pre-Print Systems: These apply fully pre-printed labels quickly and efficiently, just load the labels and apply. This is great for repeated same PLU label varieties for label or sticker designs which will not change. For example if you only label tomato-on-the-vine PLU# 4664, an Pre-Print or Apply Only systems fits your requirement perfectly.
• Among many other options, we provide our MOTOHEAD BULK®, MOTOHEAD FX® IN-TRAY, and HL-2 Lithium Cordless hand applicators. We also custom design the perfect labeling solution matching your requirements.

All options allow producers to maintain speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Without these machines, applying fruit labels manually by hand would be an overwhelming task, especially in large-scale operations.

5. Sustainability Is Shaping the Future of Fresh Produce Labels

One common criticism of traditional plastic fruit stickers is that they are not compostable or biodegradable. Many are made from plastic or vinyl, which do not break down in compost or the environment.

The good news is that eco-friendly and compostable alternatives are available with LABELPAC. We offer naturally biodegradable compostable Paper fruit labels made from sustainable materials. Even our waste liner (or backing material) is paper.

As environmental awareness grows, so does the demand for sustainable fresh produce labels. LABELPAC continues to invest in real world compostable options that are sure to stick to your fruit!

6. Fruit Labels Offer a Glimpse into a Fruit’s Journey

Fruit labels do more than provide a barcode or a brand name. They represent a whole journey. That apple might have been grown on a farm in Washington, sorted at a packing plant, labeled by a fruit sticker machine, and shipped across the country before landing on your kitchen counter.

The sticker connects you to the grower, the process, and the place your fruit came from. It is a small but valuable piece of information that helps you make better choices at the store and feel more connected to your food.

Understanding this journey also empowers you as a consumer. If you want to support local farmers or organic producers, the label gives you a starting point.

7. What Should You Do with That Fruit Label?

Unfortunately, most fruit labels still need to be removed before composting the fruit peel. Check with your local waste guidelines to find out whether your area accepts them in compost or recycling bins.

Final Thoughts

Fruit labels might seem tiny and unimportant, but they serve a big role in how we buy, track, and understand our food. They help buyers with category management, and help cashiers get prices right. They give consumers information about where your fruit came from. They help brands connect with customers. And in some cases, they can even help stop a food safety issue before it spreads.

Next time you go to peel a sticker off your watermelon or apple, give it a second look. That fruit label is doing more for your Produce than you ever imagined.