From traditional packaging to smart bio-packaging for food safety: a review

Abstract The need to urgently find alternative plant-based biodegradable fibres is not just important, it is a pressing necessity. The severe environmental damage caused by plastic packaging materials demands immediate action. It is a responsibility that everybody should share to reduce the global plastic pollution rate and environmental footprint. Biodegradable films from natural and waste products have gained considerable consideration for their ability to guarantee optimal product conservation while avoiding any risk of contamination or intoxication. Therefore, this overview addresses recent developments in food packaging and the application of sensors to indicate possible packed food spoilage. The new role of food packaging was discussed widely, from traditional to bio-based, active and intelligent packaging. Until a few years ago, food packaging had the sole purpose of protecting food from external contamination. However, the barrier effect is no longer enough: the packaging should act directly on the food and the surrounding space. The interesting innovation that responds to this need is active and intelligent packaging, a market with solid growth in recent years. It allows the enhancement of food conservation and the detection of pathogens while maintaining good monitoring of the environment inside the package, continuously recording the food conditions. This more complete and interactive information is recorded thanks to special analytical devices: sensors. They can detect and transmit a message to the consumer about food quality, freshness and safety, thanks to the ability to record internal and external changes in the product’s environment. However, these devices are not free from limitations, such as costs and performance, which limit their wider use.