FZMR10: Understanding & Implementing European Union Food Law

Module code: FZMR10

Module provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 10

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Dr David Jukes, email: d.j.jukes@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Delivered online only through distance learning using video lectures, interactive forum based seminars and self-directed study hosted on the University of Reading’s VLE, this module develop knowledge and understanding of matters relating to European Union food law.

The module aims to enhance the student’s ability to effectively identify and meet requirements derived from European Union food law and to participate in and contribute to the future development of European Union food law.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Explain the origins and background to EU food legislation and describe its overall structure and key components
2. Explain the relationship between EU law and national law (e.g. the UK)
3. Access the legal requirements which are imposed on the food industry
4. Assist food companies in compliance with legal obligations deriving from EU food law
5. More effectively participate in influencing the development of future EU food law

The following transferable skills will be developed in this module:

• Critical evaluation of data from a variety of sources
• Effective communication of scientific information in oral and written format with scientific rigour
• Debating skills

Module content

This module is designed to develop knowledge and understanding of matters relating to European Union food law. Topics covered include: 

• the historical development of EU food law 
• the main elements in current EU food law 
• the procedures and policies used by the EU to develop legislation 
• the relationship between the EU legislation and wider international policies 
• a deeper consideration of some key legislative topics (for example, food labelling, food additives or food hygiene) 
• Introduction to the EU and its global relevance 
• Historical development of EU food law 
• Current policies and procedures 
• The role of the European Food Safety Authority in the provision of scientific advice 
• Relationships between the EU Institutions and activities in Member States 
• Main elements of current EU food law 
• Detailed evaluation of selected food law topics 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will research and justify personal learning courses with the support and advice of their industrial mentor and personal tutor.  

Learning will be acquired through various teaching and learning strategies used in the taught study modules, units and courses that the student has undertaken. 

The module consists entirely of internet-based course material (including audio/visual files, pdf documents and web links) with exercises provided for each element enabling students to assess their understanding and progress. Interaction with the course leader will be available using discussion fora. 

Study hours

At least 0 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs