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LAW37730

Academic Year 2025/2026

Food Law (LAW37730)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Joseph McMahon
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Food is fundamental to human life as it provides the essential nutrients required for the body to function, grow, and stay healthy. Access to a diverse and balanced diet is crucial in preventing malnutrition; undernutrition and overnutrition are forms of malnutrition which pose significant health risks. However, food is about more than sustenance as it also serves a cultural function and a role in social interactions. The food industry is a significant driver of economic activity, providing livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. From farming and fishing to food processing and retail, the sector encompasses a vast range of professions and industries. Sustainable food production practices are essential for preserving natural resources and ensuring long-term food security. Food security, defined as the availability of and access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, is a critical issue facing the global community. In this context, “access” is both economic and physical. Sustainable agricultural practices help to ensure that future generations have access to a stable and healthy food supply.

Food law encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of food. It aims to ensure the safety, quality, and integrity of food products, protecting consumers from food-borne illnesses, mislabelling, and fraud. Internationally, food law is shaped by agreements and regulations established by various global organisations to promote food safety and fair trade practices. The World Trade Organization oversees agreements that impact food law, including the agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); these agreements aim to ensure that Members' food safety regulations are based on science and do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade. European Union (EU) food law provides a comprehensive framework of regulations, directives, and decisions governing all aspects of food production and distribution within the Member States with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) playing a critical role in providing scientific advice and communication on food-related risks. Irish food law is heavily influenced by EU food law and is enforced by a number of agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of:

- the nature and sources of food law;
- questions relating to animal welfare, new food technologies; and,
- the current and future socio-economic issues in food law such as the right to food and food security.

On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills already developed throughout their degree programmes. This module aims to enhance the following skills:
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument; and,
- the ability to conduct legal research in this area.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to Food Law - Problems of Multilevel Governance
The International Context
- the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
- the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
The EU Context
- General Principles and Specific Legislation
- One Health - Human Health
- One Health - Animal Health and Welfare
- One Health - the Environment
Specific Issues
- Emerging Technologies
- Intellectual Property and the Food System
- Food Fraud and Food Waste
- Right to Food and Food Security

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

105
Total

127

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
A two-hour lecture each week with material being provided on Brightspace including a reading list for the specific topic being discussed.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): A two-hour examination at the end of the trimester in which students will be expected to answer two questions from a range of questions addressing issues raised throughout the module. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
100
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
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