Recent advances in intelligent packaging technologies for real-time food quality monitoring: A comprehensive review

The rising global demand for safer, fresher and more sustainable food products has catalyzed rapid advancements in intelligent packaging technologies. This review comprehensively explores intelligent packaging systems as a transformative innovation in food packaging, aimed at improving food safety, quality assurance and supply chain transparency. Intelligent packaging integrates functional components such as indicators, sensors, biosensors and data carriers (e.g., RFID) that interact with food and its environment to monitor and communicate real-time information on freshness, spoilage and storage conditions. Among the technologies reviewed, time-temperature indicators (TTIs), freshness indicators, gas sensors and biosensors emerged as pivotal tools for tracking food quality by detecting critical parameters like temperature fluctuations, microbial growth, pH shifts and volatile compound emissions. The paper discusses commercially available systems, their mechanisms and application-specific advantages and limitations. Additionally, it identifies key challenges including cost, sensor toxicity, integration complexity and consumer awareness, that hinder large-scale adoption. By presenting recent innovations and outlining current research gaps, this review provides valuable insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies by facilitating the development and commercialization of next-generation smart packaging solutions that adhere to food safety standards, promote environmental sustainability, and cater to consumer preferences.