# Shelf Life-Extending Packaging NanoPack's Active Food Packaging is Anti-Microbial By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-09-06 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/active-food-packaging References: [dairyreporter](https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2019/11/18/NanoPack-s-Active-Food-Packaging-extends-yellow-cheese-shelf-life-by-up-to-50) & [nanopack.eu](https://www.nanopack.eu/) The [European Union](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battery-factory1)-backed a NanoPack project that sought out to create Active Food Packaging. The aim was to find an efficient and safe way to extend the shelf life of yellow cheese, bread, and cherries. The result was a revolutionary anti-microbial packaging that combines natural nanomaterials and essential oils. Following a series of tests on its [anti-microbial packaging film](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sdpack-carbonlite), NanoPack discovered that its enhanced film had the potential to "inhibit mold growth in bread by at least three weeks, increase the saleability of fresh cherries by 40%. and expand the shelf-life of yellow cheese by 50%. The innovative anti-microbial packaging is intended to potentially minimize the use of harmful food preservatives, as well as to curb any food waste potential. Image Credit: NanoPack ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Active Food Packaging:** The development of anti-microbial packaging that can extend the shelf life of perishable products like cheese, bread, and cherries. - **Natural Nanomaterials:** The use of natural nanomaterials in packaging materials to inhibit mold growth and increase the saleability of fresh produce. - **Reduction of Food Waste:** The potential to reduce food waste by extending the shelf life of perishable items through anti-microbial packaging. ### Where This Applies - **Food Packaging Industry:** The food packaging industry can explore the use of anti-microbial packaging to provide longer shelf life for perishable products and reduce waste. - **Food Preservation Industry:** The food preservation industry can adopt the use of natural nanomaterials and essential oils in packaging materials to extend the shelf life of various food products. - **Alternative Preservatives Industry:** The industry of alternative preservatives can benefit from the development of active food packaging that minimizes the use of harmful food preservatives. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco-Friendly Food Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coating.md) - [Freshness-Boosting Packaging Stickers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vidre.md) - [Moisture-Absorbing Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaging-tech.md) - [Versatile Bakery Freshness Ingredients](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shield-v-plus-dry.md) - [Freshness-Enhancing Packaging Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lidding-film.md) - [Food-Preserving Microbial Ingredients](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegstable-secure.md) - [Food Longevity Stickers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keep-food-fresh.md) - [Oxygen Permeable Food Membranes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intellipac-packaging.md) - [Paper-Based Packaging Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperbarrier.md)