Ochratoxin A (OTA) occurs in many foods, both of plant and
animal origin. Because of its toxic activity, OTA has been classified
by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) into
Group 2B (possible human carcinogen, IARC, 1993) and the Commission
of European Communities fixed maximum admissible
levels in several foodstuffs (Commission of the European
Communities; 2006a and 2010); however, the Commission stated
that, on the basis of the position adopted by EFSA (EFSA, 2004), it
does not appear necessary for the protection of public health to set
a maximum level of OTA in meat products. In Italy, a guideline value
of 1 mg kg1 in pork meat and derived products has been recommended
by the Italian Ministry of Health since 1999 (Ministero
della Sanità, 1999).