Nanotechnology a sustainable solution for food packaging: a comprehensive review

Innovations in the food packaging industry are necessary as they directly impact the food quality and human health. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach towards the food industry, ranging from preservation to packaging. The current review has critically examined previously published work related to food packaging, highlighted knowledge gaps and proposed future research direction. The various food packaging nanomaterials for enhancing the shelf life, barrier properties, antibacterial activities, mechanical properties and scavenging activities are compiled in detail. Nanomaterial-enabled food packaging can prevent contamination and assure food safety, promoting good health that advocates Sustainable Development Goal # 3 (SDG 3). Additionally, regulatory guidelines concerning food safety have also been suggested. We believe that the review systematically entails the recent advances, concerns, and the future scope of nanotechnology in food packaging.