Michigan State University’s Institute for Food Laws and Regulations (IFLR) is offering a new online course examining the laws, regulations and policies that govern alcoholic beverages in the United States.
Wine, Beer, and Spirits Laws and Regulations will be taught by Prof. Melissa Card, Associate Director of IFLR, and of counsel in Plunkett Cooney’s FDA Regulatory and Litigation Practice group in Detroit.
This course examines the laws, regulations, and policies that govern alcoholic beverages in the United States. The emphasis is on federal laws, specifically regulation by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. An example course outline is listed below. Prospective students can learn more at http://www.canr.msu.edu/iflr/courses/.
Sample course outline for Wine, Beer, and Spirits Laws and Regulations:
- Introduction to Alcohol Law
- Agency Jurisdiction
- Defining Wine, Malt Beverages and Spirits
- Labeling and Advertising
- Formulation, Production, and Distribution
- Adulteration
- Food Safety Regulation
- Additives
- Licenses
- Formulation, Production, and Distribution
- Taxation
- Importation and Exportation
- Compliance/Inspections
- Government Enforcement
- Private Actions
The course begins Jan. 6, 2020, and will be offered every other year. Tuition for non-Michigan residents, including international residents, is $3,021. Tuition for Michigan residents is $2,357.25. If students wish to take it for informational purposes only (and therefore not have it count as university credit), the enrollment fee is $1,695. Contact course administrator, Mary Gebbia-Portice, at iflr@msu.edu to weigh the pros and cons of taking courses as non-credit.
Most IFLR students work full time for food companies or regulators, and take one online course at a time to further their professional development.