Role of Packaging in Maintaining Food Quality

Abstract

Long-term food storage has recently drawn attention owing to the interest in reducing food loss and to lifestyle changes brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Packaging plays an important role in the long-term storage of preserved or emergency foods. This review explains the primary function of packaging and discusses typical materials that perform such functions; it also describes the role of packaging in maintaining food quality. The development of technology for maintaining the quality of fresh produce during long-term storage is also garnering attention. However, fresh produce packaging usually differs from non-perishable food packaging. Therefore, this review includes a separate section that explains the requirements for fresh produce packaging and provides the latest research on such packaging.