Sustainable Active Packaging for Food Safety and Preservation: Technological, Consumer, and Environmental Perspectives

Biodegradable active packaging has emerged as a potential contribution to mitigating the environmental pollution resulting from the accumulation of petroleum-based plastics traditionally used in food packaging. In addition, this demand aligns with the consumer preference towards sustainable food packaging and expectations about food safety and quality preservation. In this context, active packaging goes beyond the conventional role of packaging by incorporating functional compounds like antioxidants, antimicrobials, ethylene scavengers, and modified atmosphere that can enhance food safety and quality and extend shelf life. For this purpose, various biopolymers derived from plant, animal, or microbial sources are being explored, individually or in combination, leading to innovative solutions in active packaging development. Despite considerable efforts in using natural polymers, creating films with mechanical, optical, and barrier properties comparable to traditional polymers while preserving the original sensory properties of food products remains a significant challenge. Another challenge lies in scaling up production to industrial levels and managing the costs associated with biopolymers, which can limit their commercial application. To tackle these challenges, researchers are exploring different solutions, including incorporating nano reinforcements to biopolymers to improve their mechanical and barrier properties; combining synthetic and bio-based polymers to improve their properties; adding bioactive compounds to the polymer matrix to extend the shelf life of the food product; exploring emerging processing techniques compatible with biopolymers; optimizing existing processes to reduce environmental impact, among others.

This research topic aims to collect original research articles and review articles focusing on novel formulations and applications of active packaging materials in the food industry. This Research Topic will not only include articles focused on improving food safety and preservation, but also studies on consumer expectations, facilitating scalability, and the environmental impact of the process.

To gather further insights in sustainable active packaging for food safety and preservation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• New biopolymers and polymer blends used as active packaging materials
• Emerging polymer processing techniques
• Optimization of packaging processing to reduce environmental impact
• Nanotechnology to improve functional properties of active packaging
• Innovative active additives used in packaging formulations
• Food safety considerations related to active packaging
• Application of active packaging in the food industry
• Consumer acceptability of active packaging
• Assessment of the environmental impact of active packaging production
• Analysis of the economic viability of large-scale production of active packaging