Nanotechnology for Food Safety and Security: A Comprehensive Review

Food safety and food security are subjects of great concern around the world. Ensuring a sustainable supply of nutrient-dense and safe food is a grand challenge. Nanotechnology will bring great opportunities to improve food safety and enhance agricultural productivity in a sustainable way. This study presents a critical concise overview of the basic principles and applications of diverse nanotechnologies in solving food safety and security issues. Following an overview of recent work relevant to food safety issues, several key applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and contaminant detection are outlined. The important role of nanotechnology in addressing agricultural production, water resource management (such as nanofiltration and nanosterilization), harmful substance adsorption, and nutrient delivery is discussed. Finally, opportunities for further research and development in nanotechnology for food safety and security are identified. It is noteworthy that large scale industrial applications of nanotechnology are not commonplace yet as major issues of cost and potential adverse effects on human health continue to remain impediments to be overcome.