Role of Nanomaterials in improvement of food packaging

Nanotechnology in food and beverage packaging has garnered significant interest due to its potential benefits, but it also raises safety concerns related to the toxicology of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). The primary issue is whether ENPs can migrate from food contact polymers into food and under what conditions this occurs. This review has two main objectives: First, it will examine the current advancements in ENP applications for food packaging, focusing on the latest risk assessment strategies and the conflicting findings from cytotoxicity studies. It will also highlight the often-overlooked effects of food matrices on nanoparticle behavior in the gastrointestinal tract, discussing a recently proposed standardized food model for evaluating the toxicity and fate of ingested ENPs. Second, the review will thoroughly analyse current market dynamics and industrial applications of ENPs in food packaging, aiming to offer a comprehensive overview of their impact and trends in the industry.