Colorimetric Food Freshness Indicators for Intelligent Packaging: Progress, Shortcomings, and Promising Solutions

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Intelligent food packaging utilizes colorimetric food freshness indicators (CFFI) for real-time monitoring.
• CFFI technology aims to reduce food waste and improve supply chain transparency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of CFFI classification systems, including films and sensor arrays.
• To explore CFFI applications in perishable foods like meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables.
• To analyze critical challenges hindering CFFI advancement and propose future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on colorimetric food freshness indicators.
• Classification of CFFI based on technology (films, sensor arrays).
• Analysis of CFFI applications across various food categories.

Main Results:

• CFFI technology is categorized into colorimetric films and sensor arrays.
• Applications span across meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables.
• Key challenges identified: safety, stability, sensitivity, and selectivity.

Conclusions:

• Addressing safety, stability, and sensitivity/selectivity limitations is crucial for CFFI advancement.
• Future research should focus on overcoming these bottlenecks.
• Progress in CFFI development can significantly impact food waste reduction and intelligent packaging.