The nutritional affluence of meat and meat products makes them susceptible to spoilage, leading to restrictions on their consumption. Microbiological spoilage, chemical oxidation, and physical deterioration are common issues that meat products face through postharvest processing. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the use of functional edible films and coating to extend the shelf life of meat food products. The concept of incorporating active agents into a polymer matrix is growing to produce biodegradable active functional packaging, reducing postharvest spoilage during the storage of meat food products. This paper provides an overview of the composition of composite biodegradable polymers and the techniques used to produce biodegradable active packaging. It also summarizes the interactions between bioactive ingredients and biodegradable polymers, which can result in plasticizing or cross-linking effects.Furthermore, it illustrates the various applications of biodegradable active packaging, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, ethylene removal, barrier, and modified atmosphere packaging, in preserving meat and meat products. These films have the potential to enhance sensory acceptability, improve quality, and extend the shelf life of postharvest products. Lastly, the review addresses the challenges and trends associated with biodegradable active packaging in preservation, aiming to offer new ideas and insights for the development and practical application of novel biodegradable active packaging materials for meat food products.

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