Towards Building Comprehensive Legal Frameworks for Corporate Accountability in Food Governance

Area of Science:

• Food Governance
• Corporate Accountability
• International Law

Background:

• The United Nations Food Systems Summit and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have faced challenges in addressing corporate influence on food governance.
• Corporate capture of food systems undermines equitable and sustainable food policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose the development of comprehensive legal frameworks for corporate accountability in food governance.
• To identify essential regulatory elements for improving food governance structures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing international legal instruments and guidelines.
• Drawing lessons from negotiations for a legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and human rights.
• Referencing frameworks from the World Health Organization (WHO) including the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and engagement with non-state actors.

Main Results:

• Identification of critical regulatory components necessary for effective corporate accountability in food governance.
• Recommendations for integrating human rights and public health principles into food system regulation.
• Proposed strategies to mitigate corporate capture and enhance transparency.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive legal frameworks are essential to address corporate capture in food governance.
• International legal precedents offer valuable guidance for developing these frameworks.
• Strengthened corporate accountability is crucial for achieving sustainable and equitable global food systems.