In response to the dynamic changes in current consumer demand and market trends, the area of
Active Packaging (AP) is becoming increasingly significant. Principal AP systems include those that involve
oxygen scavenging, moisture absorption and control, carbon dioxide and ethanol generation, and antimicrobial
(AM) migrating and nonmigrating systems. Of these active packaging systems, the AM version is of great importance.
This article reviews: (1) the different categories of AP concepts with particular regard to the activity of AM
packaging and its effects on food products, (2) the development of AM and AP materials, and (3) the current and
future applications of AM packaging.