June 06, 2025

Smart Packaging for Shelf Life and Safety

The author delves into applications of active and intelligent packaging, including modified atmosphere packaging, antimicrobial films and barriers, and time-temperature sensors.

appy woman purchase a packet of vegetables from a supermarket

Claire Koelsch Sand

Food Technology Magazine

Learning Objective 1

Understand the distinction between active and intelligent packaging.
Learning Objective 2

Learn how active packaging stalls or inhibits lipid oxidation and microbial growth.
Learning Objective 3

Define where intelligent packaging can replace date codes to communicate food safety and quality.
Learning Objective 4

Project applications in the connection between active and intelligent packaging.

Active packaging extends food shelf life using technology beyond traditional packaging barrier technology. Intelligent packaging communicates by acquiring, storing, processing, and sharing information across the entire value chain. Both have been commercially successful, and innovations continue.

Getting Active

Active packaging employs features to extend the shelf life of food without relying solely on package barrier properties. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and antimicrobial packaging are two core areas of active packaging.

MAP technology extends food shelf life by modifying the gas composition within the package, primarily by reducing oxygen levels and replacing it with gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide, …

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Authors

Claire Koelsch Sand Owner and Founder

Claire Koelsch Sand, PhD, contributing editor to Food Technology and an IFT Fellow, is a global packaging leader with more than 35 years of food science and packaging experience. Sand is the owner and founder of Packaging Technology and Research, LLC (claire@packagingtechnologyandresearch.com).