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Dr Siva (Sharl) Marimuthu has turned a serendipitous curiosity into a significant academic achievement with the release of Changing Food Law Landscape: Food Security, Sustainability, and its Environment. Co-edited with Finnish scholar Dr Anu Lähteenmäki-Uutela, the book takes a hard look at how food systems intersect with the law, sustainability, and the climate crisis.

A senior lecturer in the School of Law at the University of New England, Dr Marimuthu says her entry into food law was accidental.

“In 2017, I received an unexpected email from Dr Lähteenmäki-Uutela seeking information on insect-as-food and feed regulations in Australia,” Dr Marimuthu said. “I had no idea about the topic but felt intrigued, so I started researching. What began as an exchange of insights blossomed into a collaborative partnership and, eventually, a multidisciplinary book tackling one of today’s most pressing global challenges.”

The book was born out of a need for a consolidated resource on food regulation.

“Food systems are deeply interconnected with ecosystems, human rights, and economics. Yet, information about the laws governing them is often fragmented. We wanted to bring it all together in one place,” Sharl said.

The book covers the complexities of food law with focus on how governance can address climate-related challenges. It features contributions from experts in agriculture, anthropology, business, and law, and explores issues like sustainable farming, ethical sourcing, and food system resilience.

“Law isn’t just rules and standards; it’s a framework for navigating competing interests,” Dr Marimuthu says. “For instance, a regulation improving food safety might increase costs, which impacts accessibility. Our book examines these trade-offs and proposes ways to balance priorities like public health, sustainability, and innovation.”

Beyond dissecting the problems, Changing Food Law Landscape also offers solutions to reshape food systems, highlighting strategies for sustainable practices and binding targets to ensure accountability. Dr Marimuthu believes that this multidisciplinary approach is part of the the book’s appeal.

“We drew from fields as diverse as environmental law, economics, and even anthropology. This diversity mirrors the interconnected nature of food systems.”

Co-editor, Dr Lähteenmäki-Uutela, brings to the book her expertise in EU food law, cultivated since her early days growing up on a Finnish farm. Her experience complements Dr Marimuthu’s work as the founder of the Food Law Science Research Group, a network of professionals dedicated to addressing food-related challenges.

For Dr Marimuthu, the book is not just an academic milestone but a testament to her career journey to date. Originally from Malaysia, she says her path to food law was unplanned but deeply rewarding.

“Food affects everyone, whether it’s on your plate or on paper. It’s central to our lives and our survival,” she reflects. “This book is dedicated to everyone who’s helping us rethink how we approach food systems.”

Through years of research, brainstorming workshops, and even forest retreats for inspiration, Dr Marimuthu and her collaborators have crafted a resource designed to spark meaningful change.

Available now, Changing Food Law Landscape is an essential read for academics, policymakers, and anyone invested in a sustainable future.

The Changing Food Law LandscapeFood Security, Sustainability and the Environment is available through this link: https://www.routledge.com/The-Changing-Food-Law-Landscape-Food-Security-Sustainability-and-the-Environment/Marimuthu-Lahteenmaki-Uutela/p/book/9781032491301?srsltid=AfmBOorWeXcFR_SEB4zqBeTXfG4VaUekXHM5dz_AAD5p3viV1ncAEDPn