Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety

**Our goals** We intend to make Europe a healthier and safer place. Our mission is to protect the citizens’ **health** and monitor their **food** making sure it is safe. We aim to - Build a strong [European Health Union](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/promoting-our-european-way-life/european-health-union_en) to protect and improve [public health](https://health.ec.europa.eu/index_en) - ensure Europe's food is [sustainable](https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/farm-fork-strategy_en) and [safe](https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety_en) - [protect the health and welfare of farm animals](https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals_en) - [protect the health of crops and forests](https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants_en) **What we do** We will achieve our goals by monitoring, listening to your concerns and taking action. **Monitoring** Once the EU has adopted laws and policies on food safety and public health, it is up to national, regional and local governments to apply those laws. They have to ensure that authorities in charge, companies, manufacturers and food producers stick to the rules. Part of our job is to check that this is really happening. **Listening** When we make policies, we want to hear from all interested parties through consultation. We consider, for example, related EU policies on trade, competitiveness and the environment, among others, and the concerns of stakeholders. **Acting** Where EU action is needed, we propose laws and support projects. We also support national or regional authorities in areas where they are better placed to act.