Instead of mixing antimicrobial compounds directly with food, incorporating them in films allows the functional effect at the food surface – where the microbial growth is mostly found – to be localized. Antimicrobial packagings include systems such as adding a sachet into the package, dispersing bioactive agents in the packaging, coating bioactive agents on the surface of the packaging material, or utilizing antimicrobial macromolecules with film forming properties or edible matri- ces.