Reflections on food security and smart packaging

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted food contamination and supply chain vulnerabilities, increasing consumer demand for food quality information.
• Food packaging is essential for preserving food quality and acting as a barrier but contributes significantly to environmental pollution due to its non-biodegradable nature.
• Contaminated food linked to packaging is a severe issue, necessitating urgent solutions for safety, environmental impact, and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review new technologies in food packaging.
• To explore the advancement and utilization of Smart Packaging and Active Packaging.
• To address challenges related to food safety, environmental impact, and sustainability in food packaging.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in food packaging technologies.
• Analysis of Smart Packaging and Active Packaging applications in the food industry.
• Discussion of the role of innovative packaging in mitigating food contamination and environmental harm.

Main Results:

• Smart Packaging and Active Packaging offer promising solutions for enhancing food safety and quality.
• These technologies can potentially reduce food waste and extend shelf life.
• Innovations in food packaging are critical for sustainable food supply chains.

Conclusions:

• Advanced food packaging technologies like Smart and Active Packaging are vital for overcoming current food industry challenges.
• These solutions contribute to food safety, reduced environmental impact, and overall sustainability.
• Continued research and implementation of these technologies are recommended for the future of food packaging.