Abstract: An apparatus for marking a foodstuff with a mark and the method of effecting same are disclosed. An ink free apparatus, which can be a laser or a printer head, is used to etch a mark on a foodstuff. A spray gun is used to spray a food grade coloring over the etched mark.

Abstract: A produce (e.g. fruits and vegetables) marking system is used to etch the skin of a piece of produce with an identifying mark. The first embodiment of the system uses a laser to emit a high intensity light beam to form the identifying mark. The second and third embodiments of the system use a dot matrix printer head. In the second embodiment, the pins of the printer head directly contact the produce skin to etch an area of the skin to form the identifying mark. In the third embodiment, a thermally conductive ribbon member is placed between the printer head and the produce. The pins of the printer head impact the ribbon member thereby forming a hot spot on the ribbon member, which in turn, etches the skin of the produce to form the identifying mark.

Abstract: A method of marking the skin of a piece of produce with an identifying mark includes the steps of: providing a piece of produce; providing a laser which emits a high intensity light beam to mark the skin of the produce and which laser light beam can be controlled such that a depth of the mark formed on the skin is controlled; relatively moving the piece of produce and the laser; directing the laser light beam along a predetermined path along the produce skin which corresponds to the identifying mark to be applied on the produce skin; and controlling the depth the laser light beam impacts the produce skin such that identifying mark does not penetrate completely through the produce skin to the meat of the produce. Movement of the piece of produce is effected past the laser device while effecting movement of the laser device relative to the piece of produce.