Smart Packaging 4.0: A Bibliometric Analysis of Sensor Integration, Food Safety, and Sustainability in Food Packaging Systems.

The integration of advanced sensors and digital technologies into food packaging systems has catalyzed the emergence of Smart Packaging 4.0, transitioning the package from a passive barrier into an intelligent cyber-physical interface for real-time monitoring and traceability. This study employs a systematic bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual structure of the field using bibliographic data retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, analyzing a refined dataset of 253 unique documents published between 2015 and 2024 that exhibit a robust annual publication growth rate of 30.31%. Co-occurrence and network clustering analyses reveal three dominant research themes: (i) physicochemical sensing (pH sensors and colorimetry) for real-time spoilage detection; (ii) active and bioactive materials (anthocyanins and chitosan) for functional food protection; and (iii) digital supply chain integration (RFID and IoT) for enhanced traceability and logistics. The technological evolution is characterized by a strategic shift from the foundations of modified atmosphere packaging in Phase I (2017-2019) and biodegradable sensor-embedded materials in Phase II (2020-2022) to the current peak of innovation in Phase III (2023-2024), which defines Smart Packaging 4.0 through the convergence of AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics for secure and autonomous food management. Despite these advancements, critical barriers to large-scale commercialization persist, notably nanomaterial safety concerns regarding the migration of ZnO and TiO₂ into food, prohibitive sensor costs, and regulatory fragmentation between the European Union's positive-list approach and the United States' exposure-based model. This study provides a strategic decision-support framework that aligns technological innovation with global sustainability mandates, offering actionable insights to guide the development of next-generation intelligent, eco-efficient food packaging ecosystems.