System for producing a packaged item with an identifier

A system for packaging an item with an identifier, comprising:

• an identifier adder, wherein the identifier adder adds one or more types of silica-based tags to an item, wherein each type of silica-based tag has a first signature readable using an optical spectroscopic reader, and wherein the first signature includes a spectral signature;
• a labeler, wherein a label is generated based at least in part on reading the one or more types of silica-based tags of the item using the optical spectroscopic reader, and wherein the label includes goods info;
• and
• a packager, wherein the packager includes the label on a package, and wherein the packager includes the item in the package.

A system for packaging a type of item with an identifier, comprising:

• an encoder, wherein the encoder determines one or more identifiers for a type of item;
• a tag producer, wherein the tag producer produces one or more types of silica-based tags, wherein the one or more types of silica-based tags are determined based at least in part on the one or more identifiers, wherein the one or more types of silica-based tags have a signature readable using an optical spectroscopic reader, and wherein the signature includes a spectral signature;
• and
• an identifier adder, wherein the one or more types of silica-based tags are added to the item.