Recent advance in nanotechnology for circular food systems: Innovations for sustainable production, waste valorization, and nutrient recovery

The transition to sustainable and circular food systems is essential to addressing global challenges such as resource depletion, food waste, and environmental pollution. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions across multiple stages of the food value chain, aligning with circular economy principles. This review explores the multifaceted role of nanotechnology in enhancing food system sustainability across production, preservation, waste valorization, and resource recovery. In agriculture, nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides improve nutrient use efficiency and pest management while minimizing environmental residues. Nano-enabled packaging and coatings offer extended shelf life, spoilage detection, and reduction in postharvest losses. Furthermore, food and agricultural waste can be converted into high-value bioactive or functional nanomaterials through nano-assisted extraction, catalysis, and upcycling. In water and nutrient management, nanomaterials facilitate the recovery of critical resources from wastewater, remediate polluted soils, and enable the safe reuse of treated water in agriculture. However, the deployment of nanotechnology in food systems is not without challenges. Concerns surrounding toxicity, environmental persistence, and regulatory ambiguity remain. This review highlights the potential of nanotechnology to advance food sustainability while emphasizing the importance of eco-safety, biodegradable nanomaterials, and robust governance frameworks to ensure responsible use across the value chain.