Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium moulds on inadequately dried or stored grains, dried fruit, coffee and related commodities, and is subject to maximum levels under EU Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
In trade practice
Prevention depends on achieving target moisture content and water activity during drying and maintaining low relative humidity throughout storage and transport. Suppliers should provide accredited laboratory results for ochratoxin A from each production lot, particularly for dried vine fruit, dried figs and cereal grains. Buyers should check that sampling plans used by the laboratory are appropriate to the lot size, as mycotoxin distribution within a bulk lot is uneven and under-sampling is a recognised source of non-compliance at the border.
In a specification
Specifications should cite Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as the applicable maximum level instrument and require test results from an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory using a validated method such as HPLC with fluorescence detection or immunoaffinity column clean-up.