The growing controversy over GM/novel-trait crops and food products that possess novel industrial or nutritional traits, has resulted in an increased need for technologies that allow the rapid and reliable identification of GM/novel-trait crops so that they can be identified, and segregated if necessary, at the various stages of production and processing. A visual seed identity system is described that permits the identification and tracing of each individual seed through the upstream value chain, from field increase to the processing plant. These traits are genetically controlled, transmitted to progeny by either pollen or ovule and expressed in developing seed, showing a xenia effect. That novelty of this proposed IP system will facilitate early mitigation measures if out-crossing or admixtures occur and exceed a threshold limit set by regulatory agencies.