Meat Packaging: A Determinant of Product Quality and Shelf Life

Packaging technologies play a central role in preserving meat quality, ensuring food safety, and promoting sustainability in the food industry. As consumer preferences increasingly favor minimally processed, high-quality, and eco-friendly products, packaging has evolved beyond its traditional role of containment and protection. Modern solutions such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), vacuum sealing, and biotechnology-based active and intelligent systems contribute significantly to extending shelf life and maintaining the physicochemical and microbiological stability of meat products throughout distribution and storage. This paper explores the intersection of biotechnology and packaging innovation, with a focus on sustainable materials and smart technologies that respond to both product conditions and environmental requirements. The use of biodegradable materials, sensors, and antimicrobial components is gaining traction as a way to meet sustainability goals while ensuring food safety and reducing waste. The integration of biotechnological advances into packaging systems has the potential to reshape meat preservation strategies, making them more efficient, transparent, and environmentally responsible