Purpose of review <p>Biopolymers and bionanocomposites are emerging as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. This review focuses on their application in food packaging, including edible films and coatings derived from renewable polymers. We describe how combining natural polymers with nanoscale fillers can enhance mechanical and barrier properties, positioning these materials as promising solutions to reduce packaging waste.</p> Recent Findings <p>Recent work highlights active and intelligent packaging that incorporates antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, CO₂ control systems, improved gas and moisture barriers, and stimuli-responsive films. Researchers are also exploring bioactive compounds and nanocomposite formulations to produce films and coatings with enhanced functional properties.</p> Summary <p>Biopolymers are biodegradable, biocompatible and can offer sufficient mechanical strength when reinforced with nanofillers. Evidence from diverse sectors shows that these materials can meet practical demands. For food packaging, their renewable origin and tunable properties make them attractive candidates. Advances in nanocomposite design are improving barrier performance, shelf-life extension and active functionalities, supporting commercial development of eco-friendly packaging. Integrating biodegradable matrices with nanoscale reinforcements also benefits other fields such as medicine and textiles. These materials also support sustainable development goals by reducing dependence on fossil resources and lowering environmental impact. However, challenges remain in processing, cost and scale-up that need addressing. Continued research should focus on optimizing processing and cost to accelerate adoption of biopolymer-based packaging.</p>