The current office holder is Lo Chung-mau.

The position was created on 1 July 2022, following the reshuffle of the principal officials and reorganisation of the policy bureaux of the Hong Kong Government.

Before that, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food (Chinese: 衞生福利及食物局局長; pinyin: Wèishēng Fúlì Jí Shíwù-jú júzhǎng) was created as a ministerial position who headed the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB).

It was replaced by Secretary for Food and Health on 1 July 2007, following the reshuffle of the principal officials and reorganisation of the policy bureaux of the Hong Kong Government.

In other words, its term expires when the Chief Executive leaves office.