Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary metabolite mainly produced by fungi from the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, and it has nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity, potential carcinogenicity, and is one of the mycotoxins of great concern worldwide. However, the classification of OTA-producing fungi, OTA biosynthetic pathway and regulatory mechanism are still controversial, which restricts the efficient and accurate control of OTA contamination in food. Therefore, the main OTA-producing fungi in Aspergillus and Penicillium were systematically sorted out and classified. In particular, some strains of A. ochraceus once considered as the main toxigenic fungi were re-identified as A. westerdijkiae based on genomic comparison data, and the toxigenic ability of the main OTA-producing fungi was introduced. The OTA biosynthetic gene clusters, key biosynthetic and regulatory genes were systematically sorted out and introduced, especially the new gene, the cyclase otaY gene, which may be involved in catalyzing the polyketide cyclizing reaction in the initial step of OTA biosynthesis. Based on the latest research results, the OTA biosynthetic pathway was further improved. According to the different stages of food production, the biological, physical and chemical control and detoxification strategies of OTA-producing fungi were sorted out. The biocontrol methods against OTA-producing fungi, and the biodegradation bacteria and detoxification enzymes for OTA were introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods were compared and discussed. Finally, it was proposed that the control of OTA contamination in food should be based on the idea of “whole chain control” and “source prevention and control” to ensure food safety and people's life and health. The advantages and disadvantages of biological control and biological detoxification technology were discussed. It was pointed out that a green and safe biological control strategy had broad application prospects and was the key direction of future research.