Poultry are recognized as asymptomatic carriers of diverse pathogenic microorganisms capable of transmission to humans through handling and consumption of contaminated products. The prevalence of these pathogens varies across regions and production systems, posing ongoing global public health concerns (Singh et al., 2009; Hakeem and Lu, 2021; Tariq et al., 2022), and poultry products remain a major source of foodborne illnesses worldwide (Liu et al., 2025). In response, multiple packaging technologies have been implemented at processing, transport, and storage stages to mitigate microbial contamination (Merenkova and Zinina, 2024).

Maintaining an uninterrupted cold chain is critical for preventing microbial spoilage and preserving the quality and safety of fresh produce, meat, poultry and other perishable foods. Proper temperature management significantly reduces the risk of pathogen proliferation during distribution, (James and James, 2010), thereby improving overall food safety (Ayadi et al., 2023). Sustainable cold chain management therefore requires integrated strategies that extend shelf life, suppress microbial growth, and maintain product quality (Opara, 2010). Among available approaches, biopolymer-based active films incorporating antimicrobial or antioxidant agents have gained traction for their ability to improve microbial safety in cold chain systems (Metha et al., 2024). Packaging-based interventions are particularly promising as they fit within existing industrial frameworks and face fewer regulatory barriers (Baniasadi et al., 2025).

Bibliometric analyses further indicate a growing convergence among poultry, cold chain, and bacteriophage research domains, with poultry situated at the intersection of production and safety, cold chain logistics serving as a critical quality backbone, and bacteriophages emerging as sustainable biocontrol tools. This convergence underscores the timeliness of exploring phage-enabled packaging systems within the poultry cold chain.

Conventional plastics provide strong mechanical and barrier properties but raise environmental and human health concerns due to their petroleum origin and potential chemical migration (Sinha, 2024). Rising consumer demand for minimally processed, additive-free, and sustainable foods has accelerated research into alternative materials (La Mantia and Morreale, 2011). Biodegradable and edible films derived from natural polymers are promising as they reduce environmental impact and serve as carriers for antimicrobial agents including bacteriocins, essential oils, and organic acids (Wu et al., 2024). However, challenges remain; these additives may alter sensory attributes or pose toxicity risks at higher levels (Santos et al., 2022), necessitating optimized solutions.

The incorporation of bacteriophages into packaging films has recently emerged as a strategic avenue for enhancing antimicrobial functionality. Phages selectively infect bacterial cells and serve as natural biocontrol agents (Ramos-Vivas et al., 2021), offering targeted antimicrobial action compared to broad-spectrum chemical sanitizers (Rhouma et al., 2021). Studies have demonstrated the ability of phage-loaded biodegradable films to reduce bacterial contamination on poultry surfaces (Moon et al., 2020; Tidim et al., 2024; Yari et al., 2024), while regulatory approvals—including GRAS status for several phage products—support their commercial potential (Moye et al., 2018). Nevertheless, key challenges such as phage stability, controlled release, interaction with film matrices, and regulatory compliance still limit industrial adoption.

Therefore, this study investigates the potential of biodegradable films embedded with bacteriophages for application in poultry cold chain packaging. Specifically, this review evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of phage-based films, examine natural film-forming materials suitable for phage incorporation, and assess their functional performance, limitations, and future potential in sustainable food packaging systems.