Combination of Natural Extracts and Nanotechnology for Food Preservation and Packaging

The changes in lifestyle and eating habits among the population have led to a growing demand for fresh, ready‐to‐eat, minimally processed food products characterized by a long shelf life. To address this need, the food industry pays particular attention to the development of a new functional packaging strategy to ensure product safety, minimize environmental impact, and meet consumer expectations. In this context, the application of natural extracts and nanotechnology represents an innovative strategy to enhance food preservation and packaging, addressing challenges of sustainability, consumer demand for safer products, and the necessity for extended shelf life. In this perspective, we have analyzed and discussed several applications of nanoparticles conveyed with natural products to overcome traditional food processing technologies to increase shelf life and maintain product safety. A perusal analysis of the literature highlighted a lack of clarity regarding the safety and efficacy of these solutions as strategy in shelf‐life extension applications. A further opaque picture arises from differing legislation across countries.