Food Laws and Regulations Unit 3 Seminar NS 440

Food Laws and Regulations  Why are they important, necessary?

The Need for Food Laws and Regulation  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

Various agencies involved in Food Regulation  FDA  USDA  FTC  EPA  OSHA

FDA  What are the functions of the FDA?

FDA  FDA is part of DHHS  Led by the Commissioner of Food and drugs  Works with many other agencies including lobbyist for industry and consumers

Functions of the FDA  Regulate food label  Regulate safety of drugs  Some aspects of food safety

Field Trip  Visit  Meet back to discuss one thing that you found interesting.

USDA  What is the purpose or function of the USDA?

Functions 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

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

Field Trip  Visit  Meet back to report interesting findings.

FTC  What is the function of the FTC?

Functions of the FTC  Regulates and protects consumers from unfair and deceptive advertising

Bureau of Consumer Protection  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 is the function of the EPA?

Functions 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

Field Trip  Visit  Meet back to discuss points you found interesting.

OSHA  What is the function of OSHA?

Functions 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

Problems with Food regulation  What are some problems with enforcing laws at the federal level?  At the state level?

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

Field Trip  Research personal state and meet back to discuss food regulations that are enforced in that state…