<p>Smart packaging technologies have emerged as transformative solutions to enhance food safety, quality, and shelf-life in response to increasing consumer demand for fresher, minimally processed, and traceable foods. Smart packaging integrates active and intelligent components capable of interacting with the packaged product and its environment to monitor, communicate, and in some cases, control deterioration mechanisms. Active packaging technologies—such as oxygen scavengers, moisture regulators, carbon dioxide emitters/absorbers, ethylene scavengers, antimicrobial systems, and antioxidant releasers—actively modify the internal package atmosphere to retard microbial growth, oxidative rancidity, and other spoilage pathways. Intelligent packaging, including freshness indicators, leak indicators, time–temperature indicators (TTIs), ripeness indicators, biosensors, and RFID-based traceability systems, provides real-time information on product integrity, storage conditions, and safety status throughout the supply chain. Recent innovations highlighted in literature demonstrate rapid development in colorimetric sensors for volatile amines, nanomaterial-based biosensors, enzymatic TTIs, and integrated labels capable of diagnosing spoilage or thermal abuse. These technologies offer significant potential for reduction of food waste, management of cold chains, and improvement in confidence among consumers, and facilitation in meeting regulatory requirements. The present review synthesizes the current scientific advances in smart packaging systems, including commercial applications and challenges, with a focus on the role of synergistic active–intelligent combinations in developing truly "smart" food packaging for next-generation shelf-life extension and safety monitoring.</p>