Active Food Packaging

Active food packaging is an advanced packaging technology and plays an important role in food quality and safety. Active packaging is prepared by incorporating active agents into packaging materials and works by absorbing food-derived chemicals or releasing active agents into the surrounding environment. In this review, typical active packaging systems including antimicrobial packaging, antioxidant packaging, carbon dioxide emitters, moisture absorbers, ethylene absorbers, and freshness indicators are systematically summarized, and their mechanisms, objectives and characteristics are also explained. Additionally, the challenges and future trends are examined comprehensively.