Intro to Food Law and Policy

UCLA School of Law has established the Resnick Center for Food Law and Policy, which has emerged as a thought leader in this evolving field. The Resnick Center recognizes the important role of food law and policy in a modern food system that is different than anything the world has ever experienced. This modern food system – from the farm to the fork – has given rise to profound health, equity, social, environmental, and cultural consequences. This food law seminar will introduce how law has responded to the modern food system by examining issues involving food security, social justice, sustainability, culture, food safety, food marketing, nutrition, fraud, and trade. Students will engage in lively discussion on these issues and examine the legal and policy tools that are used in response, including federal, state, and municipal regulation; litigation; government program incentives; international standards; and so-called soft-law strategies. Students will explore in-depth a particular food law and policy issue of interest in a final paper or project. Students will be provided with specific topics that are relevant to the current work of the Resnick Center that they can choose for their paper or project. Following consultation with the instructor, students may also choose their own topic for the paper or project.