Abstract: Natural antibacterial substances can be used in food packaging owning to its non-toxic and antimicrobial properties, which can extend the shelf life of food and reduce the use of preservatives. There are a wide range of sources:animals, plants, microbes, etc。Natural antimicrobial substances are widely used in food packaging industry, especially in coatings、composite film and hydogel. In this paper, the types and properties of natural antibacterial substances were briefly introduced, and the recent advances in the application of various natural antibacterial substances in the food industry were emphasized.It also provides some reference for the application of natural antibacterial substances in food packaging.