An edible product such as a unit dosage form of a pharmaceutically active
substance includes a layer of a material that can receive and retain a
high resolution microrelief that can convey information. The microrelief
is themo-formable, preferably formed from an aqueous solution of HPMC
and/or HPC plus a plasticizer and colorant. Other additives such as
strengtheners, surfactants and adherents may be used depending on the
application. The materials are selected and proportioned to control the
fading or change in color of the visual image or effect produced by the
relief to indicate exposure to an unacceptable degree of heat or
humidity. The dosage form can be the relief-containing layer itself with
the pharmaceutical carried therein. In a preferred form, the layer is an
outer coating over a core containing the pharmaceutically active
substance. Coated tablets are configured to resist twinning. To produce
such dosage forms, the coated core is transported in unison with a
flexible mold or transfer plate that can heat-replicate the microrelief
on the outer layer of the dosage form, followed by a cooling and release
of the transfer plate from the coating.