Sustainable packaging materials for fermented probiotic dairy or nondairy food and beverage products: challenges and innovations

The food and beverage packaging industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent
years. Particularly the requirement for appropriate packaging materials used for the sale of fermented
products is boosted due to the rising acceptance of economical functional foods available to consumers
on the shelves of their local supermarkets. The most popular nutraceutical foods with increased sales
include natural yogurts, probiotic-rich milk, kefir, and other fermented food and beverage products.
These items have mainly been produced from dairy-based or non-dairy raw materials to provide several
product options for most consumers, including vegan and lactose-intolerant populations. Therefore,
there is a need for an evaluation of the potential developments and prospects that characterize the growth
of the food packaging industry in the global market. The article is based on a review of information from
published research, encompassing current trends, emerging technologies, challenges, innovations, and
sustainability initiatives for food industry packaging.