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1. General course information
FOOD LAWS and
FOOD STANDARDS
Dr. NGUYỄN MINH XUÂN HỒNG
Faculty of Food Science and Technology
Nong Lam University HCMC.
nmxhong@hcmuaf.edu.vn
2. Course Regulations
Pre-requisite: Introduction to Food Science
and Technology.
Requirement on knowledge, skills and
altitude before attending the course:
• Read textbooks in advance to lecture; Prepare
questions, comments in lecture;
• Collect materials, information related to the
contents of lectures and topics of discussion in
accordance to instructions from instructors;
• Attend fully all lessons and group discussions.
• Course Title: Food Laws and Food Standards
• Course Code: BTFT409IU
• Time: Semester VII
• Lecturer: Dr. Nguyen Minh Xuan Hong
• Credits: 3 (3, 0)
3. Course Description
• Introduction to Vietnam and international food
regulations and standards applicable to the
food industry (basic concepts of food laws
and legal system).
• An overview of commercial food standards
(Vietnamese and International).
• Food traceability and current issues of food
safety and quality.
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4. Textbooks and references 4. Textbooks and references

 Main texts:
• The Laws on Food Safety, 2012. National Politics
Publishing House.
• Marc C. Sanchez, 2015. Food Law and Regulation for
Non-Lawyers, A US Perspective. Springer.
• Fortin, N.D. 2009. Food Regulation – Law, Science,
Policy and Practice. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
Publication. 2009.
• Caoimhín MacMaoláin, 2007. EU Food Law -
Protecting Consumers and Health in a Common
Market. Hart Publishing.
 Main texts:
• Curtis PA, 2005. Guide to Food Laws and
Regulations. Blackwell Publishing.
• Kaarin Goodburn, 2000. EU Food Law, A practical
guide. CRC Presss.
• Codex Alimentarius website:
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/

4. Textbooks and references 4. Textbooks and references

 More References:
• Vetter, J. L. 1996. Food Laws and Regulations. American
Institute of Baking, Manhattan, KS.
• Parke Wilde, 2013. Food Policy in the United States: An
Introduction.
• Looney JW, Crandall P, Poole AK, 2001. The Matrix of
Food Safety Regulations. Food Technology. 55 (4) 60-74.
• Becker GS, Porter DV, 2007. The Federal Food Safety
System: A Primer, CRS Report for Congress.
• US Food Law: USDA website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
and FDA website: http://www.fda.gov
 More References:
• Japanese Food Law: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry,
and Fisheries (MAFF): http://www.maff.go.jp/eindex.html
(Food Sanitation Law in Japan, 2006)
• EU Food Law: http://www.europa.eu.int/
• Vietnam: http://www.moh.gov.vn
• http://www.mard.gov.vn
• http://www.most.gov.vn

2

5.Course Outputs
• Overall objective
The purpose of this course is to provide students with
an overview of the major Food Laws and Regulations
that apply to the food manufacturing and trading
activities within food systems in the Vietnam and
oversea countries.
This course also emphasizes the role of food
standard and specifications in food quality
management and international trade. Students
should be able to recognize current issues in food
safety and recognize the dynamics of how the
regulation systems are developed and refined in
response to socio-economical trends.
5.Course Outputs
Week
 Understand the differences and similarities
between international and domestic food law and
regulations.
 Understand critical domestic and international
regulatory issues and their impact on food laws as
illustrated by case studies.
 Be able to recognize current topics of importance
to the food industry that have the potential to
generate new or refine existing regulations; select
controversial legislative issue.
 Interpret implications of local food laws and
regulations on the manufacturer and sale of food.
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5.Course Outputs
• Specific objectives
By the end of the course, the students will be able to
 Become familiar with statutes and regulations that
contribute to a safe, nutritious, and wholesome
food supply.
 Be able to identify major food laws, their
authoritative departments and enforcement
agencies.
 Understand more about the law and legal system
in Vietnam and several countries /regions such as
the US, EU, Japan, China, Thailand...
6. Course Outline
Content
Introduction to Food Law and Food Standards:
1 The challenges for food control authorities
Important food issues
Introduction to Food Law and Food Standards:
Elements of a national food control system
2
Strengthening national food control systems
Specific issues of developing countries
Vietnam Food Law:
Chapter I- General provisions
Chapter II - Rights and obligations of organizations and individuals
3 in assuring food safety
Chapter III - Food safety assurance conditions
Chapter IV - Food safety assurance conditions for food production
and trading
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6. Course Outline 6. Course Outline

Week Content
Week Content
Vietnam Food Law (cont.): Food Laws and Regulations in other countries:
Chapter V - Certification of food safety eligibility for 6 - European Union
establishments in food production and trading - Australia
Chapter VI - Food import and export
Food Laws and Regulations in other countries:
Chapter VII - Food advertisement and labelling
4 - Latin America
Chapter VIII - Food testing. analysis of food safety 7
risks, prevention and remedy of food safety incidents - Japan
Chapter IX - Information, education and communication - China
on food safety Food Laws and Regulations in other countries:
Chapter X - State management of food safety
8 - India
International Food Regulation and International Food - Thailand
Regulatory Agencies - Affrica
5
- Codex Alimentarius
Midterm exam
- United States of America

6. Course Outline 6. Course Outline

Week Content
Week Content Current issue: Regulations in relations to food safety
and quality in specific sectors
Commercial food standard and international trade 12
9 - Dairy sector
Food Traceability - Fruit vegetable processing

Current issue: Regulations in relations to food safety Current issue: Regulations in relations to food safety
and quality in specific sectors and quality in specific sectors
10 13
- GMO foods - Meat and egg product
- Organic foods - Aquatic products
Current issue: Regulations in relations to food safety
Current issue: Regulations in relations to food safety and quality in specific sectors
and quality in specific sectors 14
11 - Food retailing and restaurants
- Food additives - Food labeling and advertising
- Functional Foods
15 Review

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7. Course Evaluation

Methods Frequency (%)

Homework and quiz 5 10

Group presentation 2 30

Mid-term Exam 1 10

Final Exam 1 50

Total 100

Group presentation 1
International food law
Students are divided into 10 groups to present
about the following issues of different countries:
• Which organization controls food legislations, food
safety and regulations in these countries?
• The systems and activities of these organizations?
• Special law and regulations regarding food
additives, food recall, GMO, imported products…
• Other aspects
1. Codex Alimentarius
2. Food Regulation in the United States
3. Food Regulation in Latin America
4. Food Regulation in the European Union
5. Food Regulation in Australia
6. Food Regulation in Thailand
7. Food Regulation in Japan
8. Food Regulation in India
9. Food Regulation in China
10. Food Regulation in Africa

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1. GMO foods
Group presentation 2
2. Organic foods
Food regulations and standards
3. Food additives
Students are divided into 10 groups to present 4. Functional Foods
about the following issues of different food sectors: 5. Dairy sector
• Summarize main points of the food sector 6. Fruit vegetable processing
• Some examples and illustrations about the 7. Meat and egg product
related issues in the food sector 8. Aquatic products
• References, website,… 9. Food retailing and restaurants
10.Food labeling and advertising