The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against consuming spoiled or fungus-infested tomatoes, commonly referred to as “Ata Esha,” over the health dangers linked to such products.
The warning was issued by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency in a statement shared via the state government’s X handle on Sunday.
The agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, advised consumers to avoid buying or eating tomatoes with visible white, green, or black fungal growth.
According to him, fungi found on spoiled tomatoes can release dangerous toxins, including aflatoxins, which may cause liver damage and other serious health conditions.
Speaking on healthy eating habits, Solebo said, “A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time.”
He further warned that “cooking, boiling, or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, thereby making such food unsafe for human consumption.”
Solebo also warned residents against buying spoiled tomatoes simply because they are cheaper, stressing that health should be prioritised over cost.
He encouraged consumers to properly inspect food items before purchase and avoid mouldy or visibly spoiled food products.
The LASCOPA boss further advised residents to dispose of contaminated food properly and report traders selling unsafe or expired products to relevant authorities.
According to him, “consumers have fundamental rights as well as responsibilities, including being well-informed about products and services, speaking out against unfair practices, and making ethical and environmentally conscious choices.”
He added that monitoring and enforcement teams have been deployed across markets in Lagos to clamp down on traders selling unsafe food items.
