Food Law and Policy

Catalog description

This course examines the laws that govern food safety and food labeling, and considers how well this network works to protect American consumers. It also considers current issues affecting the global food system. Representative topics include recent food safety problems such as tainted meat and salmonella contamination of eggs; food labeling issues such as the use of the term "grass fed" in meat labeling and the use of GMO seed; organic standards; government efforts to address the obesity problem; urban food deserts; animal welfare concerns; the regulation of pet food, and the like. Specific topics addressed each semester will depend on current events and recent legal developments. Students will be graded on the basis of research paper and class participation. The course will often include a writing section designed to meet the upper-level writing requirement. The course may be offered from time to time as a paper-only course, designed to meet the upper-level writing requirement. Credit Hour : 1-3