The Ministry of Health (MZ) deals with public health protection and food safety in the Czech Republic. The portfolio of MZ includes food contact materials, contaminants, mineral water and plant protection products and their residues. MZ is also responsible for food for special medical purposes, infant formula and follow-on formula, processed cereal-based food, baby food, total diet replacement for weight control, and microbiological criteria.

MZ is the national competent authority for the surveillance of communicable diseases, including food and water borne diseases, and specifies requirements for irradiated foods (including dose limits).

MZ (together with MZE) shares the responsibility for establishing limits for residues of veterinary medicines in foodstuffs.

The inspection competency of MZ is restricted to food contact materials, food hygiene and, more particularly, the catering trade. The relevant competent authorities are the public health authorities (OOVZ).

Some National Reference Laboratories are attached to MZ.