Rising Demand for Food Safety and Hygiene
The issue of food safety is becoming increasingly important to consumers globally and as a result, has been a key driver behind the rapid growth of antimicrobials within the category of packaging. The rising incidence of foodborne illness, food contamination, and food spoilage has significantly increased consumer awareness regarding the need for safe and sanitary food packaging. Antimicrobial packaging is a very effective way of addressing these concerns by utilising this type of agent which helps inhibit microbial growth thus enabling the shelf life of the product to be extended and the quality of the product maintained while simultaneously reducing waste. The importance of this type of packaging on perishables like dairy, meat, seafood, and fresh produce is critical, as a lack of adequate management of these products can result in very rapid spoilage.
More importantly, consumers today are more cognizant of their food and are demanding packaging that not only protects their food from spoilage, but also keeps it fresh and safe for the entirety of its lifecycle. In turn, food retailers and manufacturers are turning to the use of antimicrobial packaging to create consumer trust and comply with rules and regulations. The benefits derived from this type of packaging also extend beyond just food safety; by reducing the levels of spoilage and waste, antimicrobial packaging also goes towards supporting companies' sustainability goals by reducing unnecessary losses and improving overall efficiency within the company's supply chain.
The emergence of global food e-commerce and global food trade has also put a spotlight on the need for packaging that can withstand long shipping times to ensure that the product is protected while being transported. Given all that has been mentioned, antimicrobial packaging offers the potential for companies to differentiate themselves in the competitive marketplace.
Technological Advancements in Packaging
The antimicrobial packaging industry is being revolutionized by technological advancements which allow for more effective, sustainable and diverse options. Controlled-release technology, an innovative product in the industry, is joining traditional antimicrobial materials to provide gradual (delayed) release of antimicrobial agents from packaging materials. The result is continuous antimicrobial protection against microorganisms for the entire shelf life of the packaged products. Active antimicrobial coatings are another exciting development, as they create surfaces on both food and non-food products that are less likely to be contaminated and provide an overall safer product.
There is an increasing amount of evidence supporting the use of natural antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils, plant extracts and bacteriocins, as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemical products. The use of biobased solutions will appeal to consumers who are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional packaging, particularly given recent regulatory trends pushing for the use of safer, non-toxic materials. The integration of such agents into biopolymer based packaging will provide opportunities for continued sustainable innovation, particularly in terms of combining hygiene with recycling and biodegradability.
The use of nanotechnology in designing antimicrobial products is also providing enhanced performance, through the ability to accurately place antimicrobial agents at the molecular level, thus enabling longer-lasting antimicrobial activity. There are also new smart packaging materials being produced that can respond to the presence of microorganisms or indicate when products are spoiled or deteriorating, adding additional value to consumers and manufacturers.
