As a subordinate specialist authority of the METD, the Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE) is responsible for risk assessments, risk communication and risk management (food inspection) in the field of food safety.

The ASAE is advised by an independent Scientific Council supported by 6 specialised thematic panels (1. Additives and Contaminants in the Food Chain; 2. Feed, Health and Animal Welfare; 3. Biological Hazards; 4. Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); 5. Nutrition and Food Allergies, and 6. Risk Communication).

The ASAE is a criminal police body that operates as the national authority responsible for carrying out inspections to prevent and combat fraud in all economic areas, including food and feed, and National Focal Point of the EU Food Fraud Network (FFN).

It is also responsible for risk assessments and risk communication in relation to food and feed. This is handled by a department that coordinates EFSA-related activities.

The organic structure of the ASAE covers the whole country with one central and several regional control services.

The remit of the ASAE includes the commercialisation chain of plant and animal products, including fishing products (aquaculture, factory ships, vessels, stores, warehouses and wholesale markets). The ASAE competencies also include food supplements, contaminants in meat, fish, plant products and mineral water. The safety of tap water lies within the responsibility of the regulatory authority for water and waste.

The ASAE, through Food Safety Laboratory, has three National Reference Laboratories pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004: mycotoxins in food, dioxins in food and feed, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in oils and fats.