Beyond Barriers: Active Packaging Strategies for Sustainable Food Protection
- 1Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Abstract
Food loss and waste-FLW-represent a critical global challenge, primarily across postharvest handling, storage, and distribution. Shelf life limitations-arising from microbial activity and proliferation, physicochemical degradation, and environmental interactions-are major contributors to these losses. Intrinsic factors such as pH, water activity, nutrient composition, and biological structure interact with extrinsic conditions including temperature, humidity, gaseous atmosphere, and light exposure, ultimately leading to quality deterioration and consumer rejection. A comprehensive insight into these mechanisms is essential to improve preservation strategies and reduce FLW. This review critically examines the determinants of food shelf life and highlights the strategic role of innovative packaging technologies in mitigating degradation pathways. Particular emphasis is placed on active packaging systems, including commonly studied technologies such as oxygen and ethylene scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters and absorbers, moisture regulators, antimicrobial- and antioxidant-releasing materials, and flavor and odor control systems. Their mechanisms of action, material design, performance factors, and practical limitations are discussed. Innovative packaging technologies actively modulate spoilage, extend shelf life, and preserve both sensory and nutritional quality, moving beyond conventional passive barriers. When combined with optimized supply chains and sustainable materials, these systems can strengthen food system stability and advance global sustainability goals.
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BibTeX
@article{maffioli2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond Barriers: Active Packaging Strategies for Sustainable Food Protection}},
author = {Elisabetta Maffioli and Marco Ruggeri and Carmela Tommasino and Barbara Vigani and Silvia Rossi and Giuseppina Sandri},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.3390/polym18111399},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18111399},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond Barriers: Active Packaging Strategies for Sustainable Food Protection
AU - Elisabetta Maffioli
AU - Marco Ruggeri
AU - Carmela Tommasino
AU - Barbara Vigani
AU - Silvia Rossi
AU - Giuseppina Sandri
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/04
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18111399
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18111399
AB - Food loss and waste-FLW-represent a critical global challenge, primarily across postharvest handling, storage, and distribution. Shelf life limitations-arising from microbial activity and proliferation, physicochemical degradation, and environmental interactions-are major contributors to these losses. Intrinsic factors such as pH, water activity, nutrient composition, and biological structure interact with extrinsic conditions including temperature, humidity, gaseous atmosphere, and light exposure, ultimately leading to quality deterioration and consumer rejection. A comprehensive insight into these mechanisms is essential to improve preservation strategies and reduce FLW. This review critically examines the determinants of food shelf life and highlights the strategic role of innovative packaging technologies in mitigating degradation pathways. Particular emphasis is placed on active packaging systems, including commonly studied technologies such as oxygen and ethylene scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters and absorbers, moisture regulators, antimicrobial- and antioxidant-releasing materials, and flavor and odor control systems. Their mechanisms of action, material design, performance factors, and practical limitations are discussed. Innovative packaging technologies actively modulate spoilage, extend shelf life, and preserve both sensory and nutritional quality, moving beyond conventional passive barriers. When combined with optimized supply chains and sustainable materials, these systems can strengthen food system stability and advance global sustainability goals.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -