WO2019157227A1

WO2019157227A1 - Source and sanitation assurance testing of foodstuffs and sensitive applications

Info

Publication number: WO2019157227A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/017123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonios Zografos
Original assignee: Safetraces, Inc.
Priority date: 2018-02-07
Filing date: 2019-02-07
Publication date: 2019-08-15
Also published as: EP3574320A1; EP3574320A4

Abstract

A method for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein the selection of the particular taggants corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged items.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

SOURCE AND SANITATION ASSURANCE TESTING OF FOODSTUFFS AND SENSITIVE APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to tracking source and/or sanitation practices. The disclosure relates more particularly to apparatus and techniques for using non-coding DNA sequences for source tracking and sanitation monitoring.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Food travels through many channels from where it was produced to where it was consumed. The food can be labelled to indicate the source, but that does not always address the entire chain the food travels.

[0003] Sanitation testing can be done by checking surfaces for contaminants, but often that is not accurate enough.

SUMMARY

[0004] Non-coding DNA sequences form tags (or tag sequences) and a value can be encoded with tag sequences, such as where the presence of one tag sequence indicates a“1” in one binary position, the absence of that one tag sequence indicates a“0” in that binary position, and the set of presences and absences of tag sequences associated with various binary positions forms a binary word that provides information about the item in, or on, where the tag sequences are found. The non-coding DNA sequences might be taken from seaweed DNA or other DNA that contains sequences uncommon in other foods or marked objects. The sequences are small enough that they would not be coding sequences. A taggant that is applied to the food or object might comprise a plurality of the non-coding DNA sequences provided in powder form, mixed with water, alcohol, wax, or some other base, and/or encapsulated. Applying the taggant to the food or object labels the food or object, in a food safe way, where the label can be in the form of a binary word having some word length with each bit of the binary word having a bit position in the binary word.

According to perhaps a predetermined convention, particular non-coding DNA sequences correspond to particular bit positions, and the presence or absence of one of those non- coding DNA sequences indicates a bit value in a particular bit position of the label applied to the food or object. The presence of the tags can later be detected using DNA PCR or other techniques. With those techniques, very little of the taggant is needed for the tag label to be recognizable.

[0005] In other variations, the label comprises other than binary bits at each bit position. In some variations, the non-coding DNA sequences include a static portion that is a sequence of nucleotides that is common to all of the non-coding DNA sequences and a variable portion that distinguishes each non-coding DNA sequence from the other non-coding DNA sequences.

[0006] In some uses, the taggant in effect labels a food or item at the source of production and in the case of food, the taggant can be detected at the point of consumption, even if all packaging is removed. In some uses, the taggant serves as a signal for sanitation practices, such as where the taggant is applied to a surface that is to be sanitized and presence of any, or more than a threshold amount of, taggant is an indication of inadequate sanitation.

[0007] The label applied by the taggant can represent a producer identity, a product identifier, a time/date of production, or other data determinable when the taggant is applied.

[0008] In one method, items are tagged by having applied thereon a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about tagged items and wherein a non-coding DNA tag comprises a DNA sequence that would not otherwise be present in a tagged item. The DNA tags are non-coding in that they are not coding sequences of DNA that might be part of a cellular operation of coding for protein production and other uses of coding DNA. The items tagged might be food items. The information might include information as to a source of those food items. In another variation, the items tagged are surfaces requiring sanitary handling and the information includes information as to whether the surfaces were sanitized sufficiently.

[0009] The DNA tags can be selected from among a set of DNA tags that represents and/or corresponds to a label that is a binary word with bits in bit positions corresponding to whether a particular DNA tag was selected, and wherein the DNA tags of the selection are combined with a carrier to form a taggant that is applied to surfaces requiring sanitary handling or items to be tagged. For example, within a particular vendor or operator’s system, if information is representable by an N-bit value, an item can be tagged by DNA tags selected from a set of N DNA tags by applying those DNA tags of the set that correspond to one bit value of the N-bit value (e.g., where a“1” is present in a bit position i in the N-bit value, the z-th DNA tag of the set of DNA tags is included in the material applied to the tagged item and where a“0” is present in a bit position z in the N-bit value, the z-th DNA tag of the set of DNA tags is not included in the material applied to the tagged item, or other variation). In some embodiments, instead of the z-th bit being represented by the presence or absence of the z-th DNA tag of the set of DNA tags, there are 2N DNA tags in the set of DNA tags, with one DNA tag (the z-th“0” tag) being applied to the tagged item if“0” is in bit position z in the N-bit value and another DNA tag (the z-th“1” tag) being applied to the tagged item if“1” is in bit position z in the N-bit value. Other than binary encoding is possible.

[0010] The DNA tags that are applied can be carried in a carrier, such as air, water, alcohol or other volatile substance, a wax, a powdering agent, and/or microbeads.

[0011] In some variations, information relating to the tagging and/or labeling process are recorded, in a public blockchain and might include one or more of a time of production, a name of a company, production details, a type of food, a supervisor name, a batch size, an expected customer, a serial number of a taggant dispenser, a label assigned to a batch, a code alphabet, error correction used, a taggant suspension type, and/or sequences of DNA nucleotides used for the plurality of non-coding DNA tags.

[0012] A method is described for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the items.

[0013] An apparatus is described for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the items.

[0014] A reading apparatus might be used for reading tags from tagged items tagged with a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged items.

[0015] The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings will provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates how a taggant might be applied during existing production processes. [0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a computer-controlled tank system that might be provided with a designated label and then control which tanks containing tag sequences are opened and tag sequences mixed to form the taggant that is to be applied.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a table of probabilities of contamination.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow in which the non-coding DNA sequences and taggants might be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details.

Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

[0022] Techniques described and suggested herein include forming binary (or nonbinary) sequences that are encoded by the presence and/or absence of tags each comprising non coding DNA snippets.

[0023] Problems in the food industry include source assurance and sanitation assurance. Source assurance is the provision if traceable information related to where a food item originated, which might be needed even if there are no packages to mark. Source traceback is slow, imprecise, and occasionally impossible. There is often no solution for bulk ingredients to be labeled as to source. Solutions are vulnerable to counterfeiting and adulteration. Thus, it is needed to have a method and apparatus for marking food, in a food- safe manner, even if no packaging is available and to counter counterfeiting.

[0024] For Sanitation Assurance, microbial tests on finished product do not always guarantee lot quality. Slow test processes can drive up inventory costs. Also, there might be a need for positive control tests.

[0025] For source assurance, often case level traceability is all that is provided, i.e.,“Farm to forklift” and not“farm to fork.” Once product is unpacked at retail, the traceability chain is broken.

[0026] In our approach, the taggant containing the non-coding DNA sequences is applied at the source and remains with the food item until consumption, so the food item can be tracked. The set of non-coding DNA sequences used in the taggant forms a data element that can be represented by a binary word. The existence and tracking of specific binary words can be combined with the use of public blockchains so that a relationship between a source, the binary word, the food and other relationships can be publicly posted and be unalterable.

[0027] Item level traceability enables swift response to outbreaks, counterfeiting, adulteration, etc. and with this information posted to a public blockchain, it can be traced and responded to by others unrelated to the provider of the foodstuffs. This item level traceability can also be a key to fulfilling sustainability and responsible sourcing promises to consumers, as well as reducing human and economic impact of outbreaks and recalls. Example Implementation

[0028] In an example implementation, a taggant corresponds to a 28-bit binary word, but in some systems it could be a 16-bit binary word, a 40-bit binary word, or some other length. Each bit position in the word corresponds to a particular non-coding DNA sequence, such that the presence in the taggant of that particular non-coding DNA sequence is interpreted as the label for that tagged item having a“1” in the bit position of the word that, by perhaps predetermined designation, is assigned to be associated with that particular non-coding DNA sequence.

[0029] A non-coding DNA sequence might comprise around 50 to 200 base pairs in a sequence. The taggant might comprise a plurality of the non-coding DNA sequences, in a very low concentration, perhaps in a carrier, such as alcohol, water, wax, etc., or as a powder. The particular non-coding sequences (“tags”) might be unique to the environment, such as drawn from seaweed when used for tagging foods other than seaweed. The tag sequences might be non-coding, non-viable, non-toxic, generally regarded as safe oligonucleotide. The tag sequences might be microencapsulated in edible particles and/or mixed with carrier liquids. In effect, the collections of tags form“barcodes” by combining multiple DNA tag sequences in unique combinations.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates how a taggant might be applied during existing production processes. In apple processing, often an organically neutral camauba wax coating is applied to apples to maintain freshness and to allow apples to be stored and brought to market outside of their harvesting season. The taggant might comprise the tag sequences mixed with the wax prior to coating. In tests, the label (i.e., the binary word encoded by the presence or absence of particular DNA tag sequences in the taggant applied) was readable without error even after 6 months of refrigeration. Where differently labeled apples are commingled, correct identification with high reliability is still possible. Stability over time might be as much as several years. [0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a computer-controlled tank system might be provided with a designated label and then control which tanks containing tag sequences are opened and tag sequences mixed to form the taggant that is to be applied.

[0032] Such a dispensing system might be able to apply a unique label (e.g., a unique DNA barcode) every three seconds, i.e., be able to switch between unique labels in a production process as fast as every three seconds while ensuring that one batch that is supposed to get one label and the next batch that is supposed to get a different label do not get labels “bleeding” over from batch to batch. Where the labels correspond to 28-bit binary words, there are over 250,000,000 possible unique labels. With error correction included, the binary words could be longer or the codeword space could be less than 2^L28 codewords.

[0033] The dispensing system might be used on fruits, nuts, grains, other agricultural products, or other produced materials. With the nature of the taggant, the materials could be bulk granular material, liquids, etc. For example, taggant might be used to label ammonium nitrate fertilizer at the point of production to help track cases of production of improvised ammonium nitrate explosives to determine their source of ammonium nitrate. As the taggant applied is so low volume, it would not be expected to affect the uses of the materials.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a table of probabilities of contamination, according to one source (adapted from International Commission for the Microbiological Safety of Foods (ICMSF), Microorganisms in Foods 7: Microbiological Testing in Food Safety Management, Springer Science + Business Media, New York, NY (2002; ISBN: 0306472627)). That table shows the probability of accepting a contaminated lot (i.e., getting an acceptable test result on a lot that is actually contaminated) on the basis of contamination rate and the number of samples tested). Microbial tests do not guarantee product safety, as there are sampling challenges, non-uniform manufacturing practices, non-uniform distribution of contamination, non- uniform sampling, and non-testing of food contact surfaces for fear of self-incrimination. Generally, process controls are more effective and reliable than microbial tests.

[0035] To address these concerns, the taggant might be applied to equipment and surfaces in food safe particles that mimic bacteria behavior. Such particles might attach, detach, transfer and degrade in the presence of sanitizers in the same manner as the target bacteria and the survival of the taggant-laden particles can be tested for at various times. This can easily integrate at scale into existing sanitation and produce wash processes and enable on site validation, rapid verification, and monitoring of sanitation processes. [0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow in which the non-coding DNA sequences and taggants might be used. At step 1, data is entered such as lot information and other details pertinent to a batch of material to be labeled with taggant. This might be done via a cloud- connected interface such as a tablet usable on a production floor. At step 2, this information is conveyed to a server that can record the details (for later use in interpreting read labels, for example), authenticate a request and generate an instruction set to be sent to a taggant dispenser that is network-connected. Information might also be recorded in a transaction on a public blockchain so that the instruction set cannot be later altered without detection.

[0037] At step 3, the taggant is created from the combination of tag sequences that is consistent with the provided instruction set. At step 4, the taggant is dispensed onto the food products or items to be tagged. At step 5, a sample is collected for testing. At step 6, samples can be analyzed using PCR or other techniques. Then, at step 7, the results of the analysis can be provided.

[0038] The results of the analysis might be done by, in step 6, first determining which tags were present or absent. Then, as part of step 7, the presence or absence of tags is represented by a binary word and that binary word is used as a lookup (or the information is encoded directly in the binary word) perhaps by reference to the server mentioned in step 2 or by reference to a public blockchain. In that manner, the labeling of a product can be done from source to consumer, regardless of the changes or absence of packaging or conventional labels.

[0039] By placing the tags-identity associations on a public blockchain, unrelated parties can check a product in a supply chain, independent of the labels applied by intermediaries and the labeling of food products are not limited to labels on the pallet, box, or bag. This would allow third parties to make informed decisions in the event of a recall regarding affected lots, and provides for improved facility and product sanitation based on impact on product quality, shelf life, and safety.

[0040] For example, a grain producer might be running an app on a smartphone or tablet and input into the app details of a batch of grain (e.g., time of production, name of company, production details, type of grain, supervisor name, serial number and network address of their taggant dispenser, etc.). The app might then send those details in a data record to a server that records the details, assigns a unique label (in the form of a binary word, for example, to be used as a DNA“barcode”). The server might also maintain a database of the particular sequences of nucleotides that are in each of the tags that are in the tanks of the taggant dispenser that that grain producer is operating. The server might then send, as a network message, the identified dispenser a listing of the unique label to be used for that batch. Of course, this process might be done for multiple batches at a time, where the grain producer operator inputs data for several batches and their dispenser receives several unique labels. Since the dispenser is programmed to understand how to mix tags in taggant according to the bits of the unique label, the dispenser can provide taggant that in effect labels the grain with the unique label.

[0041] The time of production, name of company, production details, type of grain, supervisor name, batch size, expected customer (if available), serial number of taggant dispenser, the unique label assigned, the code alphabet (which indicates which binary words are valid binary sequences), the error correction used (if any), the taggant suspension and type used (e.g., water, powder, microcapsules, wax, alcohol, etc.) and the sequences of DNA nucleotides used for all of the DNA tags that might have been used in codewords, as well as other details as needed, might all be recorded in one data record that is then inserted into a blockchain transaction and signed by the provider of the taggant dispensers. Once this blockchain transaction is posted to a public blockchain ledger, it cannot be easily altered without others noticing. In this manner, the pertinent details about the labeling using the non-coding DNA sequences are made a public record that any third party could use. For example, suppose a regulator or food safety official traces an illness outbreak to a particular food item and there are samples of the food item available for testing. The regulator could collect the sample and test it to determine if it was labeled, perhaps by detecting a static portion of non-coding DNA sequences known to be in use. If it was labeled, they could look to the public ledger for a transaction containing the details of the production and without having to resort to research and identifying and getting the cooperation of many different parties in a supply chain can simply look to the blockchain ledger to identify the batch number and producer of the food in question.

[0042] In the manner described above, production processes and tracking processes are improved. Examples described herein provide for a method and apparatus for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein the selection of the particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing

information about the tagged items and wherein a non-coding DNA tag comprises a DNA sequence that would not otherwise be present in the tagged item. The items tagged can be food items and the information can include information as to a source of the food items.

The items tagged might be surfaces requiring sanitary handling, where the information includes information as to whether the surfaces were sanitized sufficiently. DNA tags might be selected from among a set of DNA tags with the selection representing and/or corresponding to a label that is a binary word with bits in bit positions corresponding to whether a particular DNA tag was selected. The selection of DNA tags might be combined with a carrier to form a taggant that is applied to surfaces requiring sanitary handling or items to be tagged. The carrier of the taggant might be air, water, alcohol or other volatile substance, a wax, a powdering agent, and/or microbeads.

[0043] A method might provide for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non coding DNA tags, wherein the selection of the particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged items, substantially as shown herein. An apparatus for tagging items might comprise apparatus for applying a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein the selection of the particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged items, substantially as shown herein. An apparatus might be provided for reading tags from tagged items tagged with a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein the selection of the particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing

information about the tagged items, substantially as shown herein. Details of the tags might be recorded in a public blockchain transaction.

Sanitation and Tracing Combined

[0044] In an example embodiment, these techniques could be used for tracing a product to its origins or other point in a supply chain it passes through, testing for efficacy of a sanitation process, or both, with information provided in a public manner to allow for independent testing and assessment.

[0045] As explained herein and here, a process might start with the selection of a tag to be applied. This tag might be for applying to a product or a surface for later detection without requiring packaging or visible labeling or alteration. The tag might be represented by, and correspond to, a unique sequence of characters. In some embodiments, each character is selected from a binary alphabet, so that the sequence of characters is a bit sequence. In other embodiments, the alphabet has more than two possible characters. An example of such a tag might be a 28-bit, 32-bit, or 60-bit value. In the sequence of characters, each character has a value and a sequence position (e.g., there might be a“1” in the 45th position in the character sequence and a“0” in the seventh position in the character sequence).

[0046] Then, there might be a set of noncoding DNA snippets, wherein one of the DNA snippets is associated with one of the character values at one of the character positions. For example, there might be 120 DNA snippets to select from, where 60 DNA snippets are DNA tags for the 60 possible character positions that could have a character value of“1” and 60 other DNA snippets are DNA tags for the 60 possible character positions that could have a character value of“0”. In some variations, some of the character values could be represented by the absence of any of the set of DNA snippets. For example, it could be that there are 28 bit positions in the tag and the set of DNA snippets that make up the DNA tag are 28 DNA snippets and where a character position has a character value of“1”, the corresponding DNA snippet of the 28 DNA snippets is present and when that character position has a character value of“0”, none of the 28 DNA snippets are present. In the general case, where there are M possible characters per character position, and there are N positions, there are M^LN possible distinct tags.

[0047] A material can be formulated that might contain a carrier and the DNA snippets that correspond to the tag. This material can be applied to a product to be able to trace the product, to a surface to be able to later test for sanitation efficacy, or to a product that is later washed and shipped, to be able to determine both how well it was washed and where it originated.

[0048] The tag and additional information about the product or surface can be posted to an unalterable blockchain ledger and at a later time, a sample can be taken from the product or surface, and tested to identify which of the noncoding DNA snippets are present and then the blockchain ledger read to find the blockchain transaction that has the additional information about the product or surface that corresponds to the unique sequence of characters represented by the DNA snippets found in the sample.

Hardware Implementations

[0049] According to one embodiment, the techniques described herein are implemented by one or generalized computing systems programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination. Special- purpose computing devices may be used, such as desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.

[0050] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. [0051] In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.

[0052] Further embodiments can be envisioned to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above-disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The example arrangements of components are shown for purposes of illustration and it should be understood that combinations, additions, re-arrangements, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Thus, while the invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible.

[0053] For example, the processes described herein may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and/or any combination thereof. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

[0054] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for tagging items comprising:

applying a plurality of non-coding DNA tags to an item to be a tagged item, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged item and wherein a non-coding DNA tag comprises a DNA sequence that would not otherwise be present in or on the tagged item; and

recording details of the tagged item and details of the particular tags onto a blockchain transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the items tagged are food items and the information includes information as to a source of the food items.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the items tagged are surfaces requiring sanitary handling and the information includes information as to whether the surfaces were sanitized sufficiently.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein DNA tags are selected from among a set of DNA tags and the selection represents and/or corresponds to a label that is a binary word with bits in bit positions corresponding to whether a particular DNA tag was selected, and wherein the DNA tags of the selection are combined with a carrier to form a taggant that is applied to surfaces requiring sanitary handling or items to be tagged.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the carrier of the taggant is air, water, alcohol or other volatile substance, a wax, a powdering agent, and/or microbeads.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording, on a public blockchain, the blockchain transaction and including in the blockchain transaction

information related to a tagging and/or labeling process.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information includes one or more of a time of production, a name of a company, production details, a type of food, a supervisor name, a batch size, an expected customer, a serial number of a taggant dispenser, a label assigned to a batch, a code alphabet, error correction used, a taggant suspension type, and/or sequences of DNA nucleotides used for the plurality of non-coding DNA tags.

8. An apparatus for tagging items comprising applying a plurality of non coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the items.

9. An apparatus for reading tags from tagged items tagged with a plurality of non-coding DNA tags, wherein a selection of particular tags corresponds with a binary or nonbinary code sequence containing information about the tagged items, substantially as shown herein.

10. A method of tracking food production, comprising:

obtaining a unique sequence of N characters, N being an integer greater than one, each character having a character value selected from an alphabet of M possible character values, M being an integer greater than one, and each character having a character position within the unique sequence of N characters;

selecting a subset of DNA snippets, to form a DNA tag, from among a set of K*N

noncoding DNA snippets, wherein each specific DNA snippet in the subset of DNA snippets is associated with a specific character value and character position;

combine the DNA tag with a carrier to form a DNA taggant material;

apply the DNA taggant material to an item; and

post a blockchain transaction to a blockchain ledger, wherein the blockchain transaction includes a reference to the unique sequence of N characters and additional information about the item.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

obtaining a sample from the item;

testing the sample to identify which of the K*N noncoding DNA snippets are present on the item; and

read the blockchain ledger to find the blockchain transaction that has the additional information about the item that corresponds to the unique sequence of characters represented by the DNA snippets found in the sample.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the item is a product and the additional information includes an indication of origin of the product and/or an indication of a path in a supply chain. to a surface to be able to later test for sanitation efficacy, or (c) to a product that is later washed and shipped, to be able to determine both how well it was washed and where it originated

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the item is a surface to be sanitized and the additional information includes an indication of a sanitation process and details of how the DNA taggant material was applied to the surface prior to the sanitation process.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the item is a product that is later washed and shipped, and the additional information includes an indication of a sanitation process and details of how the DNA taggant material was applied to the product prior to the sanitation process and origin information.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the blockchain transaction includes references to the DNA sequences used in the DNA snippets of the DNA taggant material.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the alphabet is a binary alphabet with each character having one of two possible character values.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein K is equal to M-l and one character value in a given character position is represented in the DNA tag by absence of a noncoding DNA snippets of the set of K*N noncoding DNA snippets that is assigned to that given character position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the character values are“0” and“1” and the one character value is“0”, whereby that one character value of“0” in the given character position is represented in the DNA tag by absence of a specific noncoding DNA snippet is assigned to that given character position.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of DNA snippets comprises, for each character position, one of M possible DNA snippets or one of M-l possible DNA snippets with the absence of a DNA snippet for that character position encoding for one character value, thereby encoding the unique character sequence into one of M^LN distinct DNA tags.