Exposure and risk assessment for ochratoxin A and fumonisins in Japan

The authors performed exposure and risk assessments based on surveillance studies of retail foods in Japan that were undertaken during the past six years (2004-2010). The exposure to ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins (FBs) in different age groups, including toddlers and young children (1-6 years old), older children (7-14 years old), adolescents (15-19 years old) and adults (over 20 years old) was simulated, and the risk of these mycotoxins was evaluated by comparing the provisional maximum tolerated daily intake (PMTDI) for FBs and the provisional maximum tolerated weekly intake (PMTWI) for OTA established by the FAO/WHO Joint Export Committee on Food Additives. The exposure assessment for both mycotoxins in each age group in Japan indicated that the highest exposure occurred in toddlers and children, but in all cases the percentage of the PMTWI and PMTDI at the 99th percentile of exposure was less than 35% for OTA and 10% for FBs.