Modern Packaging Technology

In the age of smart tech being used in everything from your phone to your food, it comes as no surprise that most industries are trying to incorporate intelligent methods in all their practices. Smart packaging goes beyond the use of simple packaging materials combined with traditional printed features of graphics and barcodes. Smart packaging is a packaging system that is capable of carrying out intelligent functions (such as detecting, sensing, recording, tracing, communicating, and applying scientific logic) to facilitate decision making to extend shelf life, enhance safety, improve quality, provide information, and warn about possible problems. These packaging technologies can also work synergistically to yield a multipurpose food packaging system. Packaging includes additives or ‘freshness enhancers’ that are capable of scavenging oxygen, adsorbing carbon dioxide, moisture, ethylene and/or flavor/odor taints, releasing ethanol, sorbates, antioxidants and/or other preservatives and/or maintaining temperature control. And some of the modern packaging technologies available are internet of packaging, biodegradable packaging, digital printing, packaging automation and active packaging. As consumer products proliferate and diversify, brand managers are faced with the challenge to make their products stand out to the end users. Engaging with end-users senses, to inspire, educate and entertain them form the key to success in the continuous battle for the consumer’s attention. This book would be useful for the food industry in optimizing the use of packaging to improve safety and quality, students and those working in food technology research, food packaging development and packaging technologists.