Food packaging (FP) is essential for preserving food quality, safety, and extending shelf‐life. However, growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of conventional packaging materials, particularly per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, are driving a major transformation in FP design. PFAS, synthetic compounds with dual hydro‐ and lipophobicity, have been widely employed in food packaging materials (FPMs) to impart desirable water and grease repellency. However, PFAS bioaccumulate in the human body and have been linked to multiple health effects, including immune system dysfunction, cancer, and developmental problems. The detection of microplastics in various FPMs has raised significant concerns regarding their potential migration into food and subsequent ingestion. This comprehensive review examines the current landscape of FPMs, their functions, and physicochemical properties to put into perspective why there is widespread use of PFAS and microplastics in FPMs. The review then addresses the challenges posed by PFAS and microplastics, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and bio‐based alternatives. We highlight promising advancements in sustainable and renewable materials, including plant‐derived polysaccharides, proteins, and waxes, as well as recycled and upcycled materials. The integration of these sustainable materials into active packaging systems is also examined, indicating innovations in oxygen scavengers, moisture absorbers, and antimicrobial packaging. The review concludes by identifying key research gaps and future directions, including the need for comprehensive life cycle assessments and strategies to improve scalability and cost‐effectiveness. As the FP industry evolves, a holistic approach considering environmental impact, functionality, and consumer acceptance will be crucial in developing truly sustainable packaging solutions.

Polyaniline (PANI) has been widely used as an electroactive material in various applications including sensors, electrochromic devices, solar cells, electroluminescence, and electrochemical energy storage, owing to PANI’s unique redox properties. However, the chemical and electrochemical stability of PANI-based materials is not sufficiently high to maintain the performance of devices under many practical applications. Herein, we report a route to enhancing the chemical and electrochemical stability of PANI through layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. PANI was assembled with different types of polyelectrolytes, and a comparative study between three different PANI-based layer-by-layer (LbL) films is presented here. Polyacids of different acidity and molecular structure, i.e., poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), and tannic acid (TA), were used. The effect of polyacids’ acidity on film growth, conductivity, and chemical and electrochemical stability of PANI was investigated. The results showed that the film growth of the LbL system depended on the acidic strength of the polyacids. All LbL films exhibited improved chemical and electrochemical stability compared to PANI films. The doping level of PANI was strongly affected by the type of dopants, resulting in different chemical and electrochemical properties; the strongest polyacid (PSS) can provide the highest conductivity and chemical stability of conductive PANI. However, the electrochemical stability of PANI/PAA was found to be better than all the other films.