LABELING TRENDS Million-dollar motive A move by European Union nations to require PLUs to be home compostable could have a major effect on U.S. exports of fruits and vegetables. RESEARCH INTO HOME-COMPOSTABLE ADHESIVE AIMS TO PROTECT U.S. TRADE INTERESTS By Melinda Waldrop Managing Editor A MOVE BY EUROPEAN NATIONS, led by France, mandating that PLU (price look up) stickers on fresh fruits and vegetables be home compostable has major implications for U.S. exports. While the 6 JULY/AUGUST 2 0 2 3 paper used to make the stickers in America is biodegradable, the adhesive is not. Solving a sticky situation James McManus is leading the charge to find a solution. McManus is a USDA research chemist working with the agency's Bioproducts Research Unit at the Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California. In collaboration with organizations including produce labeling company Sinclair and the International Fresh Produce Association, researchers have been working for about two years to find a home-compostable and food-safe adhesive.