biostudies-literatureUnknown12(11)Fakhri YIn the current study, Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels and prevalence in beer were meta-analyzed, and non-carcinogenic risk was calculated using the target hazard quotient. Thirty papers with 70 data reports were included in our study. The pooled prevalence of OTA was 50.60%, 95% CI (confidence interval) (36.97-64.19). Five countries with the highest levels of OTA in beer were South Africa (1170.750 μg/L), Slovakia (31.300 μg/L), Portugal (3.140 μg/L), Tunisia (1.052 μg/L), and Greece (0.707 μg/L). The pooled levels of OTA were 0.089 μg/L, 95% CI (0.077-0.101 μg/L). Meta-regression shows that OTA prevalence in beer decreased over time insignificantly (<i>p</i> value: .084). Except in South Africa and Slovakia, consumers in other countries are at an acceptable non-carcinogenic risk due to OTA in bFood science & nutrition8503-8514https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11606901biostudies-literaturePrevalence and concentration of Ochratoxin A in beer: A global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment.PMC11606901Belaia OFKolaeva NVRanaei VMousavi Khaneghah APilevar ZFakhri YSarafraz MfalsePrevalence and concentration of Ochratoxin A in beer: A global systematic review, meta-analysis, and health risk assessment.In the current study, Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels and prevalence in beer were meta-analyzed, and non-carcinogenic risk was calculated using the target hazard quotient. Thirty papers with 70 data reports were included in our study. The pooled prevalence of OTA was 50.60%, 95% CI (confidence interval) (36.97-64.19). Five countries with the highest levels of OTA in beer were South Africa (1170.750 μg/L), Slovakia (31.300 μg/L), Portugal (3.140 μg/L), Tunisia (1.052 μg/L), and Greece (0.707 μg/L). The pooled levels of OTA were 0.089 μg/L, 95% CI (0.077-0.101 μg/L). Meta-regression shows that OTA prevalence in beer decreased over time insignificantly (<i>p</i> value: .084). Except in South Africa and Slovakia, consumers in other countries are at an acceptable non-carcinogenic risk due to OTA in b2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2026-06-06T17:37:41.374Z2025-04-05T15:00:08.437ZS-EPMC116069013961999010.1002/fsn3.4456