Abstract:

The final quality of a packaged food is directly related to the performance of packaging materials to use. Currently, multilayer polymeric materials are being used to provide the food the required protection but with a high environmental impact. One way to develop monolayer packaging materials with enhanced gas barrier properties can be the use of nanoparticles (clays, metal oxides) which, incorporated to the polymeric material, result in polymeric nanocomposites.
This article is a review of the use of nanoparticles in polymers used in packaging materials, with enhanced gas barrier properties, and the current legislation concerning about its use in food-sector.