Nanotechnology in Food Packaging: Current Uses and Future Applications

Nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites are good examples in the field of food packaging, which have been used effectively to provide improved mechanical strength, increased resistance to heat, reduction in weight of packaged material and improve hurdle against carbon dioxide, oxygen, UV radiation, humidity, and volatiles of food-packaging materials. Nanosensors are implemented to track and trace packaging starting from the packaging of food items, including pellets and containers involved in food packaging all the way through the food supply system. Nanoclusters, nanopowders, and nanocrystals are distinct types of nanoparticles varied in size and are used in food packaging. In the recent times, the usage of nanobiocomposites in food packaging has improved the capacity of food-packaging system to work as a hurdle against gases. Current trends in food packaging are promoting the use of biodegradable polymers fortified with nanofillers, which are eco-friendly.