Ochratoxin a levels in Turkish coffee: a probabilistic health risk assessment via Monte Carlo simulation

Throughout history, Turkish coffee has been the most widely consumed type of coffee in Turkey. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the amount of ochratoxin A (OTA) present in Turkish coffee and to analyze any potential health hazards. A total of 41 Turkish coffees were collected and analyzed for OTA activity using a competitive enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Furthermore, dietary exposure and health risk assessments for the Turkish population were calculated based on analytical results and coffee consumption data from the Turkish Nutrition and Health Survey 2019 (TNHS-2019) in three age categories (15–18, 19–64, and 65 + years). Nine of the samples contained more than 2.5 μg/kg OTA, with an average of 5.24 μg/kg. The OTA concentration in 3 samples exceeded the permissible maximum limit (5 μg/kg) established by Turkish legislation, and the mean concentration was 8.41 μg/kg. A margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used for risk characterization, considering both non-neoplastic and neoplastic consequences. There were no concerns about health risks because MOEs were more than 10,000 for all categories. Although the levels of OTA analyzed in Turkish coffee did not pose a risk to individuals in the three age categories, emphasis should be placed on minimizing and controlling OTA concentrations in Turkish coffee. Additionally, it is also necessary to consider other food sources that could contribute to OTA exposure.