Abstract:Objective To evaluate the food exposure risk of ochratoxin A (OTA) in Zhejiang province, China. Methods A representative of 518 samples (A total of five food categories include 24 kinds of food stuffs) were examined from 2018 to 2019 in order to evaluate the occurrence of OTA in Zhejiang province. Food consumption data was collected from the Food Consumption Survey of Zhejiang province between 2015 and 2016. Results OTA was only detected in grains and related products, but was not detected in fruits, tea, puffed foods and infant cereals. The higher incidence was found in oats and related products (16.1%); the OTA levels about positive samples ranging from 0.53 to 4.00 μg/kg; and the max value of 4.00 μg/kg was found in oats and related products; no samples exceeded the limit set by China (5 μg/kg). Exposure assessment showed that in most consumption scenarios, OTA probable daily intake for eating grains and related products were 0.004~7.360 ng/kg BW, less than OTA safety exposure value of 14 ng/kg BW; the highest OTA exposure value high to 19.627 ng/kg BW and representing 140.19% of safe intake. The 1~6 years old age group had the highest daily intake, with 0.014~34.644 ng/kg BW, representing 0.10%~247.46% of the safe intake. The main food source of OTA was rice, with a contribution rate of 87.22%~98.32% among different scenarios. Conclusions The OTA intakes through grains and related products consumption by Zhejiang population do not rise to safety concerns in addition to a few high intake groups, especially young consumers.