Food Law and Regulation (NUTR-0284)

Spring 2025 · NUTR 0284 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

This interdisciplinary course focuses on food law, an area where many important legal, environmental, economic, and social justice concepts intersect in our society. Students will engage in analysis of the following topics: national regulation of food (production, safety, labeling, and marketing); food and consumer rights; food technology and the law (biotechnology, genetic modification of crops and livestock); food production (including an overview of the farm bill, the National Organic Program, and alternative food systems); food, energy, and water; food, nutrition, and public health; and food justice, including issues of equity, food access, land and labor rights.The course will introduce students to legal research, analysis, and writing. It will challenge students to understand and analyze a complex regulatory area where problem solving often requires careful assessment of various branches and levels of government (local, state, and federal), administrative authorities, and potential causes of action (statutory and common law). The course also explores the policy issues, intra-governmental relationships, and political dynamics that shape the regulation of food. Enrollment limited to 20 students. Prerequisite: NUTR 0203: Fundamentals of Nutrition Policy & Programming: How Science & Practice Interact (or NUTB 0206) OR NUTR 0215: Fundamentals of U.S. Agriculture and graduate standing or instructor consent.

Course codes: NUTR-0284, NUTR 0284, NUTR0284, NUTR-284, NUTR 284, NUTR284

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