Title : Modern Packaging; the Hidden Side of Food Security A short review on the role of modern packaging in food security
Abstract:
In recent years, food security plays a very significant role in politics and governance all over the world. Food security has four basic pillars. Accessibility, stability and sustainability of resources, provision, consumption and health of food resources. However, food security is a multidimensional concept, not only includes food security main pillars but also relates to food safety, healthy nutrition, and sustainable food [1] so that it is very important to protect food resources and provide condition to increase the shelf life of food and protect nutrients due to consumption. It's crucial to provide an efficient way of determining food safety and quality in the supply chain to achieve standard food market system.
Food packaging has a significant role in the food supply chain, [2] and also an important part of food industry; because it directly affects the quality and safety of the product [3]. In this study, different types of packaging and its role in food security have been investigated. Results showed that improving the performance, upgrading the packaging features and developing packaging systems which more interacted with consumer such as active, intelligent and smart packaging could improve the quality of food during the storage and of course protecting food against spoilage to develop accessibility for all society. Intelligent packaging is able to inform consumer about the quality condition of the packed material. Active packaging is able to keep food safe from spoilage by slowing down chemical reactions or limiting vital elements in microbial reactions.
Results proved Customers’ choices are significantly influenced by both product quality and packaging, according to a number of studies which is directly shows the importance of packaging and indirectly the role of packaging in food security and reduction of food waste and loss. It is also concluded that Packaging can help us to save more food products, reduce waste and spoilage.
Results also show that Modern packaging systems esp. active packaging, protect foodstuff against chemical and physical stresses and loss of nutrients causes by external stresses. It's instead that Smart packed food products are also protected against microbial spoilage.
Finally, it is concluded that Developing modern food packaging system can significantly rise food security principles by increasing shelf life which means long term storage is available, quality factors are improving and nutrients and health elements are protected.
