Ochratoxin A in food: public health risks assessed

Published: May 13, 2020

Source : https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/

EFSA has published a scientific opinion on public health risks related to the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in food – a mycotoxin naturally produced by moulds that can be found in a variety of foodstuffs including cereals, preserved meats, fresh and dried fruit, and cheese.

New data that have become available since the last assessment in 2006 suggest that OTA can be genotoxic by directly damaging the DNA. Experts also confirmed that it can be carcinogenic to the kidney. Therefore experts calculated a margin of exposure (MOE). This is a tool used by risk assessors to consider possible safety concerns arising from the presence in food and feed of substances which are both genotoxic and carcinogenic.

In its previous opinion, EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) based on toxicity and carcinogenicity to the kidney.

Experts have now used a more conservative approach by calculating MOE and concluded that there is a health concern for most consumers groups. EFSA’s scientific advice will inform the European Commission in the ongoing discussion on maximum levels of OTA in foodstuffs.

EFSA consulted stakeholders and different parties on its draft opinion and comments received were considered when finalising it.

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Comment

Teresa Mccormick

18 de mayo de 2020

Ochratoxin is an endocrine disrupter causing excess production of aromatase protein. If Ocratoxin is acquired from food or respiratory from water damaged buildings, it has the potential to interfer with aromatase inhibitors during Breast Cancer therapy. It should be taken into account when choosing cancer therapy. I probable brain metastasis after being on ANASTROZOLE for almost 5 years. I also still have clinical levels of Ochratoxin from a 2003-14 moldy home exposure. See Endocrine disrupting effects of Ochratoxin a at the level of nuclear receptor activation and steriodogenisis, C Frizzell et al. Ochratoxin has been associated with both breast cancer and melanoma, both of which I developed in moldy home.

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