Worldwide regulations for ochratoxin A

Currently, some 60 countries have enacted or proposed regulations for levels of mycotoxins in food and animal feed. Various factors may influence the establishment of tolerances for certain mycotoxins, such as the availability of data on dietary exposure and on toxicology, the distribution of the mycotoxins over commodities, the availability of analytical methodology, legislation in countries with which trading occurs and a sufficient food supply. Most of the existing regulations for mycotoxins concern aflatoxins, but the number of countries that regulate other mycotoxins as well is growing. Of the nephrotoxic mycotoxins, ochratoxin A was the only one for which regulations existed in 1990. At least 11 countries have proposed or official limits for ochratoxin A. The acceptable levels range from 1 to 50 micrograms/kg for food and from 100 to 1000 micrograms/kg for animal feed. The scientific basis for the established regulations appears to be weak, and a rationalization of tolerance levels for ochratoxin A would be highly desirable.