Food Ethics and Policies

Introduction

Food policy attracts considerable attention in public administration, among consumers, in the media, in food and agricultural research, and even in private organizations. In general, it is recognized that food production, food handling, and food consumption all have considerable impact on a number of issues such as health, economy, culture, and environmental sustainability. The recognition of the central role of food for society, the environment, and human beings has fostered multiple reflections on the role and extent of food policy. In this entry, focus is on:

• What is food policy?

• How is food policy interlinked with other policies?

• Which aims and ethical principles relate to food policy?

Policy and Principles

Considering the nature of food policy, it is reasonable to look into understandings of the last part of the concept, namely, policy. It is worthwhile to note that in English, unlike many other languages, a distinction is made between policy, politics, and polity....