Lagos State Government has warned residents against buying or eating spoiled tomatoes known locally as "Ata Esha," saying fungal growth on the produce can cause serious health problems.
The warning was issued by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) on Sunday, after monitoring teams flagged the sale of mouldy tomatoes in some markets.
LASCOPA General Manager Afolabi Solebo said consumers should avoid tomatoes with visible white, green or black fungal growth.
Solebo explained that fungi on spoiled tomatoes can produce toxins such as aflatoxins, which are linked to liver damage and other health complications.
"Cooking, boiling or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, making such food unsafe for consumption," Solebo said.
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He cautioned residents against buying spoiled produce simply because it is cheaper, stressing that health should take priority over cost.
"A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time," he added.
The agency advised shoppers to inspect tomatoes and other food items carefully before purchase, dispose of any mouldy produce properly, and report traders selling unsafe or expired goods to public health and consumer protection authorities.
Solebo said LASCOPA’s monitoring and enforcement teams have been deployed to markets across Lagos to apprehend traders found selling unsafe food.
He also reminded residents that consumers have a right to accurate product information and a responsibility to speak out against unfair practices.
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