Research progress of antimicrobial packaging in food packaging was reviewed. The sterilization mechanism of ethanol was summarized. The application of ethanol vapor in food quality control and shelf-life extension was introduced. A release antimicrobial packaging, ethanol emitter, was introduced. The application prospect in fresh-keeping packaging and existing problems of the release antimicrobial packaging were analyzed. The purpose was to provide a base for developing the application of release antimicrobial packaging in food antimicrobial packaging.