Active and intelligent packaging An introduction R. Ahvenainen. vTT Biotechnology, Finland 2.1 Introduction: the role of packaging in the food chain Packaging has a significant role in the food supply chain and it is an integral part both of the food processes and the whole food supply chain. Food packaging has to perform several tasks as well as fulfilling many demands and requirements. Traditionally, a food package makes distribution easier. It has protected food from environmental conditions, such as light, oxygen, moisture microbes. mechanical stresses and dust. other basic tasks have been to ensure adequate labelling for providing information e.g., to the customer, and a proper convenience to the consumer, e.g., easy opening, reclosable lids and a suitable dosing mechanism. Basic requirements are good marketing properties, reasonable price, technical feasibility(e.g, suitability for automatic packaging machines, sealability ) suitability for food contact, low environmental stress and suitability for recycling or refilling. A package has to satisfy all these various requirements effectively and economically. Some requirements and demands are contradictory to each other, at least to some extent. For these reasons,a modern food package should be optimised and integrated effectively with the food supply chain. In this book, package optimisation is discussed in detail in Chapter 21 and integrating active packaging, storage and distribution in Chapter F time packaging has also had an active role in processing preservation and in retaining quality of foods. Changes in the way food products are produced, distributed, stored and retailed, reflecting the continuing increase in consumer demand for improved safety, quality and extended shelf-life for packaged foods, are placing greater demands on the performance of food ackaging. Consumers want to be assured that the packaging is fulfilling its2.1 Introduction: the role of packaging in the food chain Packaging has a significant role in the food supply chain and it is an integral part both of the food processes and the whole food supply chain. Food packaging has to perform several tasks as well as fulfilling many demands and requirements. Traditionally, a food package makes distribution easier. It has protected food from environmental conditions, such as light, oxygen, moisture, microbes, mechanical stresses and dust. Other basic tasks have been to ensure adequate labelling for providing information e.g., to the customer, and a proper convenience to the consumer, e.g., easy opening, reclosable lids and a suitable dosing mechanism. Basic requirements are good marketing properties, reasonable price, technical feasibility (e.g., suitability for automatic packaging machines, sealability), suitability for food contact, low environmental stress and suitability for recycling or refilling. A package has to satisfy all these various requirements effectively and economically. Some requirements and demands are contradictory to each other, at least to some extent. For these reasons, a modern food package should be optimised and integrated effectively with the food supply chain. In this book, package optimisation is discussed in detail in Chapter 21 and integrating active packaging, storage and distribution in Chapter 25. For a long time packaging has also had an active role in processing, preservation and in retaining quality of foods. Changes in the way food products are produced, distributed, stored and retailed, reflecting the continuing increase in consumer demand for improved safety, quality and extended shelf-life for packaged foods, are placing greater demands on the performance of food packaging. Consumers want to be assured that the packaging is fulfilling its 2 Active and intelligent packaging An introduction R. Ahvenainen, VTT Biotechnology, Finland