Food Law Clinical Work at Stanford

A while back, we put out a call for information about teaching experiences in Food Law & Policy classes.  Professor Jay Mitchell at Stanford responded with some information about the food law work he is doing through the Organization and Transactions Clinic at Stanford.  The clinic that he runs represents a number of organizations active in sustainable agriculture, small-scale farming, food security, and food system reform.  Jay provided a one-page description of the clinic, the work it does, and a summary of recent "food and ag" projects.

A couple years ago, Jay published an article in the Journal of Food Law and Policy, Getting in the Field, about why ag clients are great project sources for clinics and other law school experiential education programs.  Helpful and inspiring article -  thanks, Jay.

USDA ERS Report on Use of Nutrition & Health Claims (1989-2010)

I just came across an interesting report that the USDA ERS issued in February 2013, Introduction of New Products With Voluntary Health- and Nutrition-Related Claims (1989-2010). It reviews the use of health and nutrition related claims on food packaging over the years covered, noting trends.  For example, it notes that that food companies made these types of claims on 43.1 percent of new products introduced in 2010.  The report tracks health- and nutrition-related claims displayed on new products from 1989 to 2010 and delineates the claims by product category and type of claim. It also attempts to evaluate sales and average nutrient content of all new food and beverage products carrying at least 1 of the top 10 health- and nutrition-related claims from 2010.  It's available in a free download from the publication's USDA ERS page.