European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Stella Kyriakides, 2020

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

The European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety is a member of the European Commission responsible for overseeing the European Union's policies on public health, food safety, and animal health. The position is part of the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).

Responsibilities

The Commissioner for Health and Food Safety is tasked with ensuring that the EU's health and food safety policies are effectively implemented and that they protect the health of EU citizens. This includes:

• Developing and implementing policies on public health, food safety, and animal health.
• Ensuring the safety of the food supply within the EU.
• Coordinating responses to health crises, such as pandemics.
• Promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.
• Overseeing the regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
• Ensuring the welfare of animals within the EU.

History

The role of the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety has evolved over time, reflecting the growing importance of health and food safety issues within the EU. The position was created to address the increasing need for a coordinated approach to health and food safety across member states.

Current Commissioner

As of 2023, the current European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety is Stella Kyriakides, who has held the position since 2019. She is responsible for leading the EU's response to health and food safety challenges, including the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety

The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) supports the Commissioner in their duties. DG SANTE is responsible for developing and implementing EU policies on health and food safety, and it works closely with national authorities, international organizations, and other stakeholders.

Related Policies and Legislation

The Commissioner for Health and Food Safety oversees several key pieces of EU legislation, including:

• The General Food Law Regulation.
• The Regulation on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
• The Regulation on Medicinal Products for Human Use.
• The Animal Health Law.

See Also

• European Commission
• Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
• Public health
• Food safety
• Animal health
• Stella Kyriakides