Innovative nanotechnology-based sustainable food packaging: A brief review

Abstract

Food packaging has currently become an essential element in the world to address the rising demand for high-quality food and to overcome the key challenges of sustainable food management while minimizing food waste. Nanotechnology, an emerging and versatile field, plays a main role in offering tremendous benefits for innovative food packaging with the aim of preserving food quality, prolonging shelf life and avoiding post-harvest losses. Nanomaterials are incorporated into synthetic polymers or biopolymer matrices in order to escalate mechanical and barrier functionalities of polymer and are effectively utilized in food packaging. This article reviews the various types of nanomaterials used for food packaging and the specific properties provided by each, while briefly explaining the active and intelligent packaging. Finally, an outlook on the future perspectives, toxicity effects and the novelty of nanotechnology-based food packaging is provided while addressing the major concerns in the field for safeguarding food production and loss prevention.