The Future of Food Packaging: A Review of Active Packaging and its Applications in Food Industry

Abstract

The increasing demand for safe, high-quality, and longer-lasting food products has accelerated the development of advanced packaging technologies in the food sector. Active packaging has emerged as an innovative approach that interacts with the packaged food or its surrounding environment to improve product safety, maintain quality, and extend shelf life. This review provides an overview of the principles, design strategies, and functional mechanisms associated with active packaging systems. Key components such as oxygen scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters, ethylene absorbers, moisture regulators, and antimicrobial agents are discussed in relation to their roles in preserving food freshness and minimizing spoilage. The review also highlights recent developments and practical applications o