This review demonstrates that OTA is a widespread contaminant
of products of animal origin, particularly meat, blood and milk.However,
intake of OTA from animal-derived products seems to be of limited
importance for the general population in comparison with the
potential intake of this mycotoxin from cereals and their derived
products. Nevertheless, food of animal origin merits attention, since
the occurrence of OTA occurrence in feedstuffs is unavoidable and
unpredictable, and carry-over from feedstuffs to animal products
has been confirmed. Furthermore, some population groups, particularly
infants consuming milk-based formulas, may be exposed to
higher levels of OTA contamination. Some specialised animal
products, such as processed meats containing high percentages of
blood, may also have higher concentrations of OTA.