<p>The growing environmental impact of food packaging made from plastic and synthetic polymers has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives. The fabrication of packaging using biopolymers and active and intelligent materials offers solutions that both improve food preservation and minimize environmental pollution. This innovative packaging combines biodegradability with smart and active technologies for enhanced food preservation and real-time monitoring capabilities, minimizing the health and environmental impact of synthetic polymer-based packaging. The use of biobased intelligent additives, such as pH indicators, gas scavengers, antimicrobial agents, and moisture stabilizers, promises to provide functional and intelligent attributes of food packaging systems. In the current review, advancements in the incorporation of biobased active and intelligent additives for enhanced performance have been discussed. The influence of nanotechnology, biosensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in revolutionizing these packaging systems is also highlighted. In addition, recent advancements in the use of nanomaterials and various techniques for incorporation are also discussed. The effort is critical for promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials, which play an important role in safeguarding both human and environmental health.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>