Intelligent Packaging System: A Promising Approach to Reduce Food Waste

Intelligent packaging systems aim to minimize food waste by displaying real-time data on food quality. The majority of the recent studies on optical approaches for intelligent packaging have used natural halochromatic indicators in the fabrication process. However, they are presented with many obstacles that limit industrial commercialization. Thus, this review encompasses the recent alternatives to natural halochromatic indicators that might be utilized for intelligent packaging systems for major food categories, including dairy and meat products, as well as fruits and vegetables.

Food freshness assessment might be conducted using various intelligent food packaging systems based on mostly freshness indicators, sensors, and data carriers. The literature has primarily focused on natural, reasonably inexpensive, and plentiful halochromatic freshness indicators; however, these indications have low long-term stability and rapidly deteriorate during food storage.

Food waste is a global issue and forces the food industry to revolutionize from farm to fork. Although intelligent packaging systems have great potential to reduce food waste, they are faced with numerous hurdles that limit industrial commercialization. Research efforts on these systems are yet in their infancy phases. Overall, the limitations to the commercialization and scaling up of intelligent packaging need to be investigated to provide useful references for future studies and pave the way to minimize food waste.