ABSTRACT
Food packaging preserves the quality of food and minimizes the wastage of food. Food packaging commonly uses materials such as plastics, glass, metals, and wood. Active packaging can release some biocompatible materials to prevent the food from spoiling. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is performed based on the composition of gases in packaging using gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Recently, advanced technology is emerging in intelligent packaging with nanoparticles as sensors, printed electronics, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
This new technology can extend shelf life, monitor freshness, display information on quality, and improve safety. Intelligent packaging with nanomaterials becomes smart packaging by responding to environmental conditions and alerting a consumer about contaminations and spoilage. Nanosensors possess unique chemical and electro-optical properties and so they can ensure fresh and tasty products and reduce the frequency of foodborne illnesses for food safety. Thus, intelligence can be incorporated through printed “smart” labels with electronics. Printed electronics are able to create electrical devices on the substrates. RFID tags are affixed to packaging to track them using a RFID reader and antenna. Using these tags, the consumer can check the quality of food using their smart phones.
