Currently, nanotechnology is widely applied in various industrial fields and is rapidly emerging as a promising future technology. In food industries, nanotechnology is used to enhance food quality and safety. Numerous cutting-edge studies on the advantages of nanotechnology have been conducted in the fields of food processing, food ingredients and additives, food packaging, and food engineering for optimal health. The market for these areas of research has grown steadily, and is expected to continue to do so. Because of this, R&D for nanotechnology that can be used effectively in food industries is being performed by several companies, as well as in academic research institutions around the world. This review describes the recent global R&D trends that have been in progress for two key areas: food processing and food packaging.

Nanotechnology represents a new frontier in science and technology with long term goals and benefits. Nowadays, nanotechnology is producing many revolutions and applications such as quantum computing, surface and materials modification, novel separation and sensing technologies, and human biomedical replacements. These new techniques are being introduced in food and bio filed. In this review, the status and trends related to nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanotubes, delivery vehicles and biosafety were reviewed. The situation of funding of nanotechnology research in USA, Japan and Korea is also summarized.