In the field of food safety, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty (MASA), Directorate General for Food (DGAL) is responsible for agricultural policy, for the safety of the entire food chain, including animal feed. MASA prepares draft legislation in this area and is also responsible for controls and inspection. MASA is also responsible for fighting food crime and participates in disseminating information of food safety issues, such as promoting French food, health, and phytosanitary standards. It is responsible for health alerts and food product recalls.

MASA's portfolio encompasses the control of plant protection products employed by agricultural users, including the presence of residues, veterinary medicinal products, GMOs and zoonoses. In addition, the DGAL participates in the regulation of specific products, such as dietary supplements, novel foods, improvement agents, and allergens.

The area of work of MASA extends beyond food safety to include plant health, plant protection, animal health and animal welfare. In France there are two RASFF contact points, one is at MASA and the other at MEFSIN (for its field of competence).