Raisins, ochratoxin A and human health.

Raisins are one of the most nutritious dried fruits in the world. The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in raisins results from contamination and growth of ochratoxigenic fungi and short-term humid weather during drying. The estimation of the dietary exposure dose of OTA from raisins for the Czech population (children, adult) is presented. The risk of acute toxic effect of OTA was in the Czech Republic usually considered to be minimal. The risk of late toxic effects (particularly carcinogenic risk) after ingestion of very low single or repeated OTA doses from foodstuffs is very important.