Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39680570›Full record

ReviewComprehensive reviews in food science and food safety2025

Food packaging solutions in the post-per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics era: A review of functions, materials, and bio-based alternatives.

Arcot Yashwanth, Rundong Huang, Monica Iepure, Minchen Mu, Wentao Zhou, Angela Kunadu, Courtney Carignan, Yagmur Yegin, Dongik Cho, Jun Kyun Oh and 3 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Functionality Enhancement of Pullulan-Based Composites for Food Packaging Applications.Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Arcot YashwanthArtie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Rundong HuangDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, USA.
Monica IepureDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, USA.
Minchen MuArtie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Wentao ZhouArtie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Angela KunaduDepartment of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Courtney CarignanDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Yagmur YeginDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Dongik ChoDepartment of Polymer Science and Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Jun Kyun OhDepartment of Polymer Science and Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.ORCID 0000-0002-8199-7628
Matthew T TaylorDepartment of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Mustafa E S AkbulutArtie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Younjin MinDepartment of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1156-3373

Funding

Ministry of Science RS-2024-00452380Nano & Material Technology Development ProgramNational Research Foundation of KoreaNational Science FoundationU.S. Department of Agriculture
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Food packaging (FP) is essential for preserving food quality, safety, and extending shelf-life. However, growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of conventional packaging materials, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, are driving a major transformation in FP design. PFAS, synthetic compounds with dual hydro- and lipophobicity, have been widely employed in food packaging materials (FPMs) to impart desirable water and grease repellency. However, PFAS bioaccumulate in the human body and have been linked to multiple health effects, including immune system dysfunction, cancer, and developmental problems. The detection of microplastics in various FPMs has raised significant concerns regarding their potential migration into food and subsequent ingestion. This comprehensive review examines the current landscape of FPMs, their functions, and physicochemical properties to put into perspective why there is widespread use of PFAS and microplastics in FPMs. The review then addresses the challenges posed by PFAS and microplastics, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and bio-based alternatives. We highlight promising advancements in sustainable and renewable materials, including plant-derived polysaccharides, proteins, and waxes, as well as recycled and upcycled materials. The integration of these sustainable materials into active packaging systems is also examined, indicating innovations in oxygen scavengers, moisture absorbers, and antimicrobial packaging. The review concludes by identifying key research gaps and future directions, including the need for comprehensive life cycle assessments and strategies to improve scalability and cost-effectiveness. As the FP industry evolves, a holistic approach considering environmental impact, functionality, and consumer acceptance will be crucial in developing truly sustainable packaging solutions.

Indexed as

Food PackagingFluorocarbonsHumansMicroplasticsFluorocarbonsMicroplasticsfood packagingfood safetymicroplasticsPFASsustainability

Identifiers

PMID39680570
PMCPMC11649155

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.