Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an important mycotoxin with potential to reach the human food chain through
carry-over of contaminated, mostly cereal-based, feed into animal-derived products. Certain population
groups, such as infants and children, are intensive and relatively restricted consumers of some animalderived
products, particularly milk and other dairy products, which may become contaminated with
OTA. This review examines the literature on the occurrence of OTA in animal-derived products and discusses
the public health and food safety implications of consumption of these products. The risk of OTA
contamination of meat, milk, blood and derived products is discussed.