The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is responsible for drawing up policies on food safety, environmental hygiene, animal health, and matters concerning agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong. It also allocates resources for carrying out these policies.

In the areas of food safety and environmental hygiene, the bureau works closely with two departments, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

The FEHD is tasked with ensuring that food in Hong Kong is safe for consumption and that environmental hygiene standards are high.

The AFCD is responsible for implementing policies governing the agricultural and fishery industries and for helping them to stay competitive by providing them with infrastructural and technical support such as market facilities and animal disease diagnostic services. The department also administers loans to them and advises the Government on veterinary matters.