Multi-functional product markers and methods for making and using the same

A multi-functional product marker which comprises a substantially solid cross-section of a primary polymeric fiber having a longitudinal axis, wherein:

• (i) said cross-section has substantially parallel first and second faces and at least one additional face substantially perpendicular to said first face and/or said second face and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said polymeric fiber, wherein the maximum distance across said first face and said second face is between 0.5 mircometers and 5 millimeters;
• (ii) said cross-section has an aspect ratio of the mean distance across said first face and said second face to the mean distance between said first and second faces of between 1:1 and 200:1;
• and
• (iii) said cross-section contains at least one optically readable identifier for identifying said product and at least one optically readable orientor for differentiating between said first face and said second face, wherein said optically readable orientor is optically readable on both said first face and said second face and comprises at least one chiral area of optically detectable difference, and further wherein said optically readable identifier comprise an area of optically detectable difference.