Abstract
Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin known to contaminate a variety food and beverages. The current studies indicate the possibility of ochratoxin A -related carcinogenicity in human. The fungi producing ochratoxin A exist two genera, Aspergillus in tropical areas and Penicillium in cooler climates areas including Japan. Occurrence of ochratoxin A in retail food in Japan has been investigated from 2004 to 2005. The result shows that ochratoxin A contaminates several kinds of food and beverages even though a low level in Japan. The total diet study of ochratoxin A has been performed in 2000-2002, indicating that the exposure level to ochratoxin A was quite low in Japan. However, the efforts to mitigate the risk of carcinogenicity induced by ochratoxin A, such as monitoring system and setting the standard would be needed.
