Smart Technologies in Food Safety and Quality Monitoring: A Review of Technological Advances, Opportunities and Challenges

ABSTRACT Food safety is a critical component of the global food production and consumption system, as contaminated foods continue to trigger outbreaks, recalls, and substantial public health and economic burdens. This review examines recent technological advancements that strengthen food safety monitoring and quality assessment. Emerging analytical tools—supported by artificial intelligence, smartphone‐assisted diagnostics, sensor arrays, and portable detection systems—enable rapid, accurate, and non‐invasive evaluation of contaminants. These innovations enhance decision‐making capabilities for producers, regulators, and consumers, thereby reducing risks and improving traceability across the supply chain. Smart packaging solutions, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) indicators, freshness and gas sensors, and biosensor‐embedded films, enable real‐time monitoring of storage conditions, microbial activity, and product integrity. The integration of predictive microbiology software, big data analytics, and cloud‐based platforms further supports proactive, risk‐based food safety management by enabling improved prediction of microbial growth and facilitating standardized data sharing. Overall, advanced digital and sensor‐based tools are reshaping food safety practices by enabling continuous monitoring, rapid diagnostics, and transparent traceability. Future research should prioritize developing interoperable, supply chain–specific smart systems and enhancing their scalability, cost‐effectiveness, and adaptability. These advancements will accelerate the transition toward a more reliable, sustainable, and intelligent global food safety ecosystem. Smart technologies are extensively utilized across the food supply chain to guarantee real‐time monitoring of food safety and quality. Intelligent sensors and IoT‐enabled devices are employed in agricultural fields, processing facilities, and cold chains to incessantly monitor temperature, humidity, gas composition, and microbial activity, facilitating the early identification of deterioration and contamination. Intelligent packaging solutions that utilize biosensors and indicators deliver visual or digital data regarding freshness, shelf life, and product integrity to retailers and consumers alike. Blockchain‐enabled monitoring systems improve traceability, transparency, and swift recall management in food safety events. In processing sectors, AI‐driven vision systems facilitate automated inspection, fault identification, and quality assessment. These applications collectively minimize food waste, enhance regulatory adherence, bolster consumer confidence, and promote sustainable, data‐informed food safety management practices.