The Swedish Food Agency (SLV) is an independent, non-ministerial government authority. Nonetheless, SLV is accountable to the government and the Government Offices of Sweden.

In the area of food safety, SLV is responsible for risk and benefit assessments, risk communication and risk management. SLV prepares draft legislation on the basis of science-based risk assessments. SLV is responsible for state food inspections and for the subsequent information on the outcome of the control and inspection activities.

Within SLV, the Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment conducts independent risk assessments for food safety issues, including biohazards, novel foods, food supplements and botanicals, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), foodborne infections, contaminants and drinking water. The department also conducts risk assessments for plant protection products and veterinary medicinal product residues in food. However, the regulatory authority for plant protection products is the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) and the regulatory authority for veterinary medicinal products is the Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket). SLV provides laboratory analytical services related to food safety.

The remit of the Risk Benefit Assessment Department extends beyond food safety to include nutrition and the conducting of national dietary surveys.