Sponsored by
Institute for Food Laws
and Regulations

College of Agriculture
and Natural Resources
Michigan State University

2003 WINNER OF THE EXCELLENCE AWARD IN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY DISTANCE EDUCATION FROM THE AMERICAN DISTANCE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM (ADEC)

Welcome to the International Food Law Internet Certificate Program sponsored by the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. This is an Internet distance education program that consists of a series of region-specific food law courses taught completely over the Internet by an international network of food science academic and legal professionals who understand the legal complexities of the food laws and how they impact the flow of food and agricultural products across national boundaries.

Each course runs 12 - 14 weeks, depending upon the course, and details the food laws and food regulation practices of a specific subject area, country or region of the world. The overview course, International Food Laws and Regulations, is divided into sections or "Modules" each of which provides an overview of the food laws and regulations of selected regions including the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada and Latin America. Successive courses provide a full 12 -14 week detailed examination of the food laws, and regulatory practices of a specific country or region such as the United States, European Union, Latin America, Canada, Asia and the Middle East presented in an issue oriented format such as the regulation of food additives, genetic modifications, import-export regulations, etc.

Three of the courses cover the international organizations known as "the three sisters": Codex Alimentarius - (The Food Code), the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), and the IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention). These organizations are responsible for international standards in the areas of food safety, animal health and plant protection, respectively, under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The current course list includes:

• International Food Laws and Regulations
• Food Regulation in the United States
• Food Regulation in the European Union
• Food Regulation in Latin America
• Food Regulation in Canada
• Codex Alimentarius - The Food Code
• OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health)
• IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention
• Food Regulation in Asia (NEW)

To obtain a sample listing of the module titles for the courses, CLICK HERE.

Courses may be taken individually for those who need information about a specific subject area or as part of our Certificate Program for those seeking continuing education credits such as attorneys or dieticians. Any four (4) courses may be taken in any sequence to satisfy the requirements for a Certificate from Michigan State University indicating your successful completion of our International Food Law Distance Education Certificate Program.

For those who may be unfamiliar with Internet courses, these courses are taught using a variety of web-based distance education tools. We have the technical support and expertise of the MSU Virtual University to help us with any computer related problems. Additionally, the courses utilize automated scoring of online tests and online student course evaluation surveys (SIRS) will be used to evaluate the course and the instructors. Some of the other Internet-based resources used in these courses include hyperlinks to important sources of information such as web sites with online journals and listserv web sites with automated email updates.

Additionally, we have the capability and resources to design and construct food law or food safety related courses to satisfy a particular need for information concerning a specific region or international food law or food safety issues. Our program is constantly expanding and will soon be able to offer a greater selection of region specific courses and other food law related educational resources.

Applications are now being accepted for spring semester 2008,
which will begin January 7, 2008
Courses will next be offered in fall semester,
which begins August 25, 2008.
Courses are not offered during summer semester.

Here is a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the program: FAQ

The brochure for the Certificate Program is available here in PDF format:

If you have further questions about the tuition rate or enrollment process see "How to Enroll" or for more information please do not hesitate to contact us at: