STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire -02/14/12)- A botanical DNA ink "CustoMerQ" developed by Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Nissha) in conjunction with Applied DNA Sciences (OTC.BB: APDN.OB - News), has been adopted by the Saganoseki Branch of the Oita Fisheries Co-operative Association. It will be used at hygienically controlled facilities beginning in April 2012. These facilities will have an integrated processing line from unloading to shipping for products including "Sekiaji" horse mackerel and "Sekisaba" common mackerel. CustoMerQ DNA ink will be used to print the shipping date and shipping number on the brand label that is attached to the product.

CustoMerQ DNA Ink will help prevent counterfeiting of the label and will preserve the brand name for the marine products caught in the Saganoseki area. It will also be possible to match the shipping number that has been printed with information on a website, so that the end consumer can check the shipping information for the product online.

DNA as the Ironclad Anti-Counterfeiting Solution

Nissha identified Applied DNA technology as the most ironclad product authentication solution, stating its determination that DNA, as a trusted forensic form of authentication in courts around the world, provides the highest security for high value food and other products.

The new CustoMerQ DNA Ink system, developed by Nissha in conjunction with APDN, can be used in a wide variety of products such as food packaging, with its forgery-proof, high security layer. The anti-counterfeiting CustoMerQ DNA ink on food labels can be instantly verified as genuine in the field, using a special handheld detector to identify the anti-counterfeiting ink. This could happen at the point of sale, or at any point along the supply chain. As is typical of APDN botanical DNA markers, a second, forensic level of authentication is also available by sending the suspect product to a secure, product authentication lab.

Branded foods from particular and often well-known waters off Japan, and sometimes preserved with traditional, labor-intensive methods, are becoming popular, profitable, and necessary in Asia. For example, sushi bars have become ever-more discriminating, while ocean contamination and other issues beset the fishing industry. Counterfeiters and diverters have moved in with force, selling common foods as the high-value brand, destroying markets and reputation of the real item.

Nissha, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Company Code: 7915), has a market capitalization of ¥40 billion (or approximately $500 million US dollars). Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nissha is a globally networked company with over 4,000 employees (consolidated), 11 locations in Japan and 27 bases located throughout Asia, North America and Europe.

About APDN

APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied. Our mark provides a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators. To learn more, go to http://www.adnas.com where APDN routinely posts all press releases.

The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature. Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 8, 2011 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. APDN undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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CustoMerQ Botanical DNA Ink to Protect Sekiaji and Sekisaba Fish in Japan