OCHRATOXIN A IN DANISH CEREALS 1986-1992 AND DAILY INTAKE BY THE DANISH POPULATION

Ochratoxin A is a common contaminant in Danish cereals, and surveillan ce of ochratoxin A in cereals has been a part of the Danish monitoring system since 1986. Occurrence of ochratoxin A is highly related to th e climatic conditions during harvest. Rye is the crop which is most of ten contaminated and contains the highest levels of ochratoxin A. The result of the survey period from 1986 to 1992 (total of 1431 samples) together with food consumption data is the basis of intake calculation s. Especially in years with wet weather during harvest, the daily inta ke of ochratoxin A for some individuals in the Danish population could reach levels which exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for ochrat oxin A of 5 ng/kg bw suggested by The Nordic Working Group on Food Tox icology and Risk Evaluation. A maximum limit of 5 mu g ochratoxin A pe r kg cereal would keep the daily intake below 5 ng/kg bw.