Abstract: Disclosed are multi-functional markers for use on various products, particularly products which have one or more visually indistinguishable characteristics, for identifying and/or providing information about such products, and to processes and materials for making and using such markers.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-functional markers for use on various products, particularly products which have one or more visually indistinguishable characteristics, for identifying and/or providing information about such products, and to processes and materials for making and using such markers.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-functional markers for use on various products, particularly products which have one or more visually indistinguishable characteristics, for identifying and/or providing information about such products, and to processes and materials for making and using such markers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to edible product markers and methods for making and using such markers, including processes for manufacturing, embedding, applying, and retrieving edible product markers. The edible product markets are made of digestible or biologically inert materials that are scored or shaped while being extruded into filaments, and embedded in a vehicle, also made of digestible or biologically inert materials, that facilitates delivery of a predetermined quantity of these markers on to a food or other edible material. The markers are made by spooling and embedding the extruded filaments, and cutting the mass in which these filaments are embedded into cross sections. The markers can be retrieved by washing an aliquot of the marked substance in soap or a detergent, extracting the markers into the soap or detergent, and placing the markers on a microscope slide, where they can be identified by the scores and shapes on cross-sectional view using either white or polarized light.