The Ministry of Health (MZ) is responsible for the policy and legislative framework in the area of healthcare, including public health and health insurance. The portfolio of the MZ includes safety of food and drinking water and drafting and implementing a general policy on nutrition. Within the food safety area, the MZ is specifically responsible for the preparation of legislation and overseeing its implementation with regard to food for specific groups, food supplements and food contact materials. The MZ requests risk assessments from appointed scientific institutions, such as the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) and the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food (NLZOH).