The mandate of the Food Safety Section is to provide for the health protection of Nova Scotians through quality food products. This is achieved by the administration of legislation and education. The Food Safety Section is responsible for the inspection and permitting of retail food service facilities and the Provincial Meat Inspection Program. The Section also acts in a consultative and resource capacity to other areas of the agri-food industry and with other agencies directly responsible for food protection programs.

A food safety program can directly control some factors affecting risks to safe food, influence outcomes in others, and in some cases, respond to emerging issues of food safety. It is important to recognize the role of a food safety program in the overall mandate of the Department of Agriculture and Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture.