ABSTRACT
136Among different reasons of deterioration of food, spoilage due to microbial growth is a predominant factor leading to deterioration and subsequently rendering the food unsafe for consumption. In other words, microbial food spoilage largely accounts to food loss. Further, since the microbiological quality of any food has a direct impact on the public health, protection of food from pathogenic, and spoilage microorganisms is of critical importance. Various strategies have been used over time to prevent or limit the growth of microorganisms in food products. Packaging is effectively exploited to develop strategies to prevent food spoilage and growth of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition to other functions, food packaging can serve as an effective means of protecting foods from different hazards including the microbial hazards.
