Smart nano-packaging materials for sustainable food preservation and safety

The growing complexity of global food supply chains and increasing demands for safety, longer shelf life, and sustainability have increased the need for advanced packaging technologies. Smart nano-packaging materials have emerged as a promising solution by integrating nanomaterials with active features that surpass the limitations presented by conventional packaging. This review examines the recent development in smart nano-packaging to preserve and maintain food safety, with a focus on metallic, carbon-based, clay-based, and biopolymer-based nanomaterials. The fundamental processes, which form the basis of antimicrobial action, gas and moisture control, UV protection and real-time freshness monitoring are comprehensively addressed. The review highlights the key applications for major food categories (including meat, dairy, and fresh produce) to demonstrate improvement in extending shelf-life, reducing spoilage, and improving food safety. Moreover, the major challenges related to the migration of nanomaterials, potential toxicity, regulatory guidelines, and consumer acceptance are examined. By assessing the current state of nanomaterials, defining knowledge gaps, and highlighting future research directions, this review offers a comprehensive roadmap for developing safe, sustainable, and scalable smart nano-packaging solutions.