Nano Technology in Food Packaging

TL;DR: Nanotechnology in food packaging revolutionizes food preservation, processing, and packaging by improving food safety, quality, stability, and functionality. Nano-food packaging integrates with active and intelligent packaging technologies and enhances bio-based packaging. It also ensures real-time quality monitoring and improves the shelf life of food products.

Abstract: Nanotechnology is one of the biggest scientific revolutions of recent times due to its wide-scale applications that are touching every sphere of human life. The concepts of nanotechnology are extensively exploited for food industry-related applications such as the preservation, processing, and packaging of food products. The usage of nanostructures for food packaging applications has addressed the concerns of food safety, quality, and stability in a sustainable manner. The nanomaterials have demonstrated their capability to improve the performance of the packages and displayed their ease in integrating with innovative forms of other packaging technologies such as active and intelligent packaging. The innovations in nano packaging ensure the real-time quality monitoring of the food to consumers and suppliers. Moreover, the use of antimicrobial nanoparticles in food packaging also ensure food safety and help in improving the shelf life of the food products. In addition, nano-food packaging not only improves the functional properties of biobased polymers but also helps in accelerating the biodegradation of polymers in landfills. In this regard, this chapter aims to review and summarize the role of nanotechnology in food packaging applications and understanding the integration of nanomaterials in active and intelligent packaging along with improving bio-based packaging. The chapter also focuses and deliberates on the key issue of the safety of nanoparticles for human health.