The work aims to introduce the synthesis methods, fluorescence characteristics, antibacterial activity of fluorescent silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) and their applications in food packaging. The application of domestic and overseas AgNCs in the field of food packaging detection and the strong antibacterial efficacy of AgNCs as a new type of antibacterial material were summarized. The inadequacies and possible solutions of AgNCs were proposed. Due to its low photo bleaching, high fluorescence quantum yield and good economic efficiency, AgNCs can be used as a fluorescent material to design biosensors to detect contaminants in food packaging. These biosensors are featured by rapid detection, sensitive identification and specific recognition. At the same time, the advantages of large surface area to volume ratio of AgNCs, high local surface Ag concentration, high mobility and low toxicity make its antibacterial performance superior to traditional silver nanomaterials. Therefore, the design of a new dual-function AgNCs sensor for both anti-bacteria and detection is envisioned.