Application of smart packaging for seafood: A comprehensive review

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Packaging Technology
• Consumer Health

Background:

• Increasing consumer demand for seafood due to health consciousness.
• Short shelf life of seafood necessitates advanced preservation and monitoring solutions.
• Need for reliable methods to track seafood quality and safety post-harvest.

Approach:

• Review of smart packaging (SMP) technologies for marine foods.
• Focus on time-temperature indicators (TTIs) for shelf-life monitoring.
• Integration of radio-frequency identification (RFID) for real-time data collection and traceability.

Key Points:

• SMP utilizes TTIs to indicate seafood usability based on temperature history.
• RFID systems offer automated, real-time data acquisition without manual intervention.
• These technologies address challenges in maintaining seafood quality and safety.
• Emphasis on fish due to high consumption and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).

Conclusions:

• Smart packaging offers a promising solution for extending seafood shelf life and ensuring consumer safety.
• Integration of TTIs and RFID enhances traceability and quality control in the seafood supply chain.
• SMP adoption can support consumer confidence and promote healthier dietary choices through safer seafood products.