F OOD L AWS AND R EGULATIONS June 7, 2011 Unit 3 Seminar NS

F OOD L AWS AND R EGULATIONS Why are they important, necessary?

T HE N EED FOR F OOD L AWS AND R EGULATION Decreased # of individual family farms People moving into the city (creating disconnect with food) Food became more processed/produced further away from home “Multiple Hands” involved Increased need for food safety regulations Mass production = need for standards

V ARIOUS AGENCIES INVOLVED IN F OOD R EGULATION FDA USDA FTC EPA OSHA

FDA What does FDA stand for? Food and Drug Administration What are the functions of the FDA?

FDA FDA is part of DHHS (Department of Health & Human Services) Led by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs Works with many other agencies including lobbyist for industry and consumers

F UNCTIONS OF THE FDA Regulate food label Regulate safety of drugs Some aspects of food safety

USDA What does USDA stand for? United States Department of Agriculture What is the purpose or function of the USDA?

F UNCTIONS OF THE USDA Over 30 different agencies that carry out over 200 different programs in the following areas: Farm and Foreign agriculture Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Food Safety (FSIS) Marketing and Regulatory Programs Natural Resources and Environment Research, Education and Economics Rural Development

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service Responsible for meat and poultry inspection Federal inspection occurs in processing plants that ship products across state lines

FTC What does FTC stand for? Federal Trade Commission What is the function of the FTC?

F UNCTIONS OF THE FTC Regulates and protects consumers from unfair and deceptive advertising

B UREAU OF C ONSUMER P ROTECTION Regulate: Advertising on dietary supplements Health fraud on the internet Weight loss advertising Marketing to children Product claims on TV, radio, np, etc

EPA What does EPA stand for? Environmental Protection Agency What is the function of the EPA?

F UNCTIONS OF THE EPA Regulate pesticides on crops (amount and what kind) Clean Water Act Solid Waste Disposal Act Facilities/plants report emergency plans for hazardous waste to EPA

OSHA What does OSHA stand for? Occupational Safety and Health Administration What is the function of OSHA?

F UNCTIONS OF OSHA Created by congress to protect workers (prevent injuries) by enforcing workplace safety and health standards Provided health training, information, and assistance to workers at the state level Enforcement = inspections

P ROBLEMS WITH F OOD REGULATION What are some problems with enforcing laws at the federal level? At the state level?

P ROBLEMS Conflict of interest Overlapping among agencies Inconsistencies/contradictions between federal and state law enforcement State laws can be stricter but not more lenient