The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against the consumption of spoiled or fungus-infected tomatoes, commonly referred to as “Ata Esha,” warning that they pose serious health dangers.
The alert was issued on Sunday by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency through a statement posted on the state government’s X handle.
The agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, advised members of the public to avoid buying or eating tomatoes showing signs of white, green, or black fungal growth, noting that such products are unsafe for consumption.
He explained that fungi on spoiled tomatoes can produce harmful toxins, including aflatoxins, which are capable of causing severe health issues such as liver damage and other related diseases.
Emphasising the importance of healthy eating habits, Solebo stated, “A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time.”
He further warned that improper food preparation methods do not make contaminated produce safe, saying, “cooking, boiling, or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, thereby making such food unsafe for human consumption.”
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Solebo also discouraged the practice of buying spoiled tomatoes simply because they are cheaper, stressing that health and safety should always take priority over cost considerations.
He urged Lagos residents to thoroughly inspect food items before purchase and avoid any tomatoes or food products that appear mouldy or visibly spoiled.
The LASCOPA boss further advised consumers to properly dispose of contaminated food items and report the sale of unsafe, expired, or spoiled goods to relevant authorities responsible for public health, environmental safety, and consumer protection.
He added that “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.”
Solebo also disclosed that monitoring and enforcement teams had been deployed across markets in the state to arrest traders involved in the sale of unsafe food products.