DNA-based sanitation indicators, namely, pathogen surrogates; DNA based sanitation indicators for verification of food safety and sanitation, DNA-based encoded sanitation tags for verification of food safety and sanitation; electronic DNA-based sanitation markers; Computer hardware and software to generate, dispense, read, and translate unique DNA based codes, tags, and indicators; laboratory and end-user apparatus and instruments for DNA analysis; Encoded DNA-based barcode labels; DNA-based encoded tags; DNA based sanitation indicators, encoded DNA-based sanitation tags for verification of food source, purity, safety and sanitation; edible DNA-based sanitation indicators for verification of food safety and sanitation; edible DNA-based sanitation tags for verification of food safety and sanitation; Equipment, namely, downloadable or recorded computer software and hardware for creating, dispensing and applying DNA-based sanitation indicators to water; equipment, namely, downloadable or recorded computer software and hardware, for applying and dispensing DNA-based sanitation indicators to produce wash water