Nanotechnologies and food packaging : Overview of applications and associated risks

The packaging industry benefits from a dynamic market driven by innovation, an engine of growth and competitiveness that ranks it 8th in Europe. In France, almost 250 new packaging products reach the distribution channels every year, half of this innovation capacity being based on technological developments (new materials and systems). It's hardly surprising, then, that nanotechnologies are penetrating this sector and shaking up the prospects for innovation, whose packaging applications could, according to projections, account for over 20% of nanotechnology's economic outlets in the medium term. This article describes the various ways in which nanotechnologies can be applied, some of which have already been deployed in the food packaging market, while others are still at the development stage. In all cases, the incorporation of nanoparticles into a packaging material is initiated with the aim of improving its performance without altering its basic functions. Such incorporation is aimed at extending the shelf life of the foodstuff by offering better protection or stabilization, guaranteeing better product traceability, or enriching consumer information.

Market prospects, while promising, are closely linked to the regulatory framework, which varies from country to country and continent to continent, and while nanotechnologies raise great hopes and bring progress, they also raise questions and fears about health and environmental risks. Their large-scale deployment from research to industry can only take place if the safety and sustainability issues associated with their applications are scientifically approved. On these points, the French and European regulatory frameworks for their use are still incomplete, since in 2020 there are still no specific regulations defining the compliance and control procedures for nanomaterials in packaging. This article brings together what is known about the risks associated with the use of nanomaterials for consumer health, as well as the environmental impacts associated with these new types of packaging.