Now more than ever, consumers are interested in the nutritional quality of food. Surveys show that consumers desire healthier options, are attempting to eat healthier, and care that food is produced in a sustainable way.
Healthy eating has become mainstream and the food industry is aware and marketing products accordingly. Every day consumers are making purchase decisions based on information presented on food labels, because these labels are reflecting the personal and social values of the consumer. Deciphering through the myriad of certifications, logos, claims, and nutritional information can be daunting for anyone.
This program, presented by Josephine M. Balzac, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Entrepreneurship at Rollins College, will focus on the U.S. Food labeling laws and regulations, third-party certifications, recent challenges and lawsuits being filed for false advertising, and how consumers can make informed decisions in their purchasing. Hot labeling issues to be discussed will include organic, natural, non-GMO and made with real fruit.
About Your Program Presenter
Josephine M. Balzac is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Entrepreneurship. Professor Balzac is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Florida. She was the President of the Law Office of Josephine Balzac, P.A. from April 2014 to June 2018. In September 2018, Ms. Balzac was invited to attend a meeting with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on climate policy. In 2017, she was appointed to serve on the City of Orlando, Mayor’s Green Works Task Force.
In October 2017, she was recognized by U.S. Representative Darren Soto as a community leader as a part of Hispanic Heritage Month. She received her LL.M. degree in International Environmental Law at The George Washington University Law School, where she served as a Randolph C. Shaw Research Fellow for the Associate Dean of Environmental Studies and interned at the EPA. She holds a Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M University College of Law where she graduated as Valedictorian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida.
While at Rollins College her greatest honor is receiving two teaching awards, an Outstanding Faculty Award and the Walter E. Barden Distinguished Teaching Award. In April 2018, she represented Rollins at the TEDxOrlando.
She is actively involved in the local community, frequently participating as an avid speaker and advocate on environmental, climate, and social justice issues. She has published articles and a book chapter on environmental justice and climate justice. She also served her community as the former Vice President of the Board of Directors for IDEAS For Us and is now currently serving on the Public Interest and Law School Liaison Committees of the Environmental and Land Use Section of the Florida Bar, and the Steering Committee for “Call to the Bar: Lawyers for Common Sense Action on Climate Change.”
