Hurdles to commercial translation of next generation active food packaging technologies

•Numerous barriers impact commercialization of next generation packaging technologies.•Academic researchers can facilitate commercialization via strategic industry partnerships, technology transfer, and consumer education.•Packaging supply chains can overcome some manufacturing hurdles through industry collaborations.•Understanding available regulatory options and environmental sustainability concerns will aid industry commercialization efforts.•Consumer acceptance and purchase intent ultimately drives adoption of new packaging technologies.

Multiple hurdles to commercial translation of next generation active food packaging technologies have been responsible for few successes among a sea of potentially promising innovations over the past 30 years. The development process involves numerous critical points originating at the basic research level, continuing through the raw material, package, and food manufacturing supply chains, and ending with consumer retail acceptance and purchase, which may fail to advance active packages into commercial markets. Complex regulatory and environmental sustainability concerns present a distinct global challenge to new technology transfer that will continue to directly impact economic growth and limit growth potential of next generation active food technologies. Understanding the identified challenges of active packaging technology commercial translation within the defined areas of academic research, manufacturing, regulatory (safety and environmental), and consumer acceptance will lead to systems based solutions for increasing availability of these technologies within a global marketplace.