ABSTRACT
European “Actipak” project will address these issues in
the near future. Provided that, in particular, the safety and
regulatory aspects of these systems are adequately dealt
with, active packaging will no doubt increasingly be
applied in Europe in the years to come.[5]
OVERVIEW OF EXISTING ACTIVE PACKAGING SYSTEMS
Active packaging systems can be distinguished into active
scavenging systems (absorbers) and active releasing sys-
tems (emitters). Scavenging systems remove undesired
components, such as oxygen, excessive water/moisture,
ethylene, carbon dioxide, other specific food constituents,
and taints. Releasing systems actively add compounds to
the packaged food, such as carbon dioxide, water, antiox-
idants, or preservatives. Both scavenging and releasing
systems are aimed at extending shelf-life and/or improving
food quality.[6] Active packaging systems can be used for
numerous applications. Table 1 gives an overview of cur-
rent and future applications of active packaging systems.
