Advanced Applications of Responsive Nanomaterials in Intelligent Food Packaging

Abstract To meet the growing for convenience markets, intelligent packaging materials have become integral to innovative packaging systems distinguished by their embedded visualization and digitization capabilities. However, the widespread adoption of such systems is hindered by the inherent limitations of conventional indicator materials, particularly their low resistance to moisture, heat, and light. Recent advances in nanoscience have positioned multifunctional responsive nanomaterials as highly promising candidates for intelligent packaging applications owing to their superior sensitivity, selectivity, recyclability, and resistance to migration. The incorporation of nanomaterials is shown to significantly improve the accuracy and sensitivity of monitoring platforms, while enabling the replacement of traditional water‐ or alcohol‐soluble pigments to prevent indicator leakage. This review begins by outlining the mechanisms of food spoilage, followed by an in‐depth discussion of the fundamental principles behind intelligent packaging indicators, including colorimetric, time‐temperature, humidity, and biosensor‐based systems. It further presents a comprehensive overview of the fabrication strategies, sensing mechanisms, and practical applications of responsive nanomaterials in intelligent food packaging. Lastly, future directions are highlighted, including the development of novel composite materials for multifaceted analysis, the shift toward sustainable and low‐toxicity nanomaterials, and the integration of advanced analytics with machine learning for enhanced monitoring interfaces.