NIFK19000U EU Food Law

Volume 2021/2022
Content

Food law addresses the rules of the game for the food sector. It is relevant for consumers, food businesses and public authorities.

Legal issues concerning food quality and food safety are rapidly developing. Food standards are being developed and applied at the national level, at the EU level and at global level (WTO, FAO, WHO, Codex Alimentarius), but also by private parties. Many of these standards are of a technical nature and focus on food safety, food quality, consumer protection and consumer information.

This course introduces the different players who are active in the field of food law. The main part of the course is devoted to the system and the content of food law in the European Union. Topics discussed are amongst others:

- the development of food law from the general principle of free movement of goods;

- the 21st Century architecture of the body of food law by means of the so-called General Food Law;

- food labelling;

- food safety and hygiene;

- novel foods including genetically modified foods;

- enforcement of food law;

 

Learning Outcome

The aim is to give the student an in-depth understanding of the regulation of the food sector in the European Union

 

At the end of this course a student:

 

Knowledge:

 

- knows the relationship between the aims and responsibilities of the players in the field of food law and the content of the law;

 

- knows the content and functioning of the core area of EU food law;

 

- understands how law affects food safety and the position of interested parties;

 

Skills:

 

- is able to describe the multi-layered structure of food law and the role of different players involved at national, European and international level;

 

- is able to find the relevant sources of EU food law in a given case;

 

Competences:

 

- is able to formulate a legal problem statement, and to conduct legal reasoning and analysis of food related cases;

 

- is able to perform an analysis of the legal dimension of food related issues

Bernd van der Meulen and Bart Wernaart (eds.) EU Food Law Handbook, Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2020

Selection of legislation, case law, and related documents

Prior knowledge on food matters and/or EU is helpful and therefore recommended.
The course is a master course in Food law primarily aimed at non-law students, but it is also relevant to students with previous experience in law. The course is open to all who have an interest in the subject.
The course will include:
- lectures and guest lectures;
- assignments;
- tutorials/group discussions.
Students prepare for lectures, study the sources, apply the theory to cases, discuss the cases in tutorials and perform an independent analysis. Students are expected to participate actively in discussions, groupwork and exercises during the course.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Preparation
  • 86
  • Exercises
  • 45
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Written assignment
The written assignment is based on the application of a relevant selection of the topics addressed to a specific case.

3000 words (excluding references)
Exam registration requirements

Submission of written assignment

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

As the ordinary exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

The assessment is based on the criteria given by the Learning Outcomes