International Food Standards, Codex Alimentarius

Course Code: FSC 816

Credits: 3 credits

This course provides a thorough understanding of the organization of Codex Alimentarius, why Codex matters, the key documents, the nature and operation of the various committees, the standards, the interaction WHO, WTO, and the importance of Codex Alimentarius in world trade and global food law.

Codex Alimentarius is a global reference point for food producers, food processors, consumers, national food control agencies, and for international trade. Codex formulates and harmonizes food standards and ensures their global implementation. The objective of this course is to familiarize participants with the history, development, and workings of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in formulating and harmonizing food standards and ensuring their global implementation.

All reading assignments will be available as downloads within the modules or via the provided URLs. The course syllabus is subject to change each semester but generally covers the following topics:

What is Codex Alimentarius?
Why Codex Matters
The Codex Institutional Framework
The Codex Committees
Administration and Operation
Harmonization Through Standard Setting
Codex, Food Safety, and the WHO
International Trade, WTO, and Codex: The WTO SPS and TBT Agreements
Codex and the European Union
The Food Industry and Codex
Developing Countries and Codex
The World Bank and Codex
The Legitimacy of Codex
The Future of CodexThis course is offered in spring semesters only.

Schedule:

This course is offered each spring semester.

Tips for first time enrollees:

Here is the direct link to apply: https://explore.msu.edu/apply/

Make sure you choose “first-time user” and then “NON-DEGREE” from the dropdown. There is no application fee for our program, so if you get to an area where it asks you to pay an application fee, then you are not in the correct process. Also, DO NOT CLICK THE BOX that asks if you are going to be taking classes in the global food law program. That question is referring to courses through the College of Law and saying “yes” to that question will only delay your application processing."