Lagos government cautions consumers against buying rotten tomatoes
Lagos State Government Issues Warning on Spoiled Tomatoes
LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against purchasing or consuming spoiled tomatoes, commonly referred to as “Ata Esha,” due to health risks associated with fungus-infested food products.
The alert was communicated by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), which urged consumers to avoid tomatoes exhibiting visible white, green, or black fungal growth.
Afolabi Solebo, general manager of LASCOPA, stated that the fungi present on rotten tomatoes could produce harmful toxins, such as aflatoxins, which have been linked to serious health issues, including liver damage and other related illnesses. He further noted that these toxins can remain hazardous even after cooking, as heat may not eliminate them completely.
“A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time,” Solebo said, reinforcing the importance of food safety.
He emphasized that residents should not compromise their health for the sake of lower prices of spoiled food items typically found in markets. Solebo encouraged Lagosians to carefully inspect food products prior to purchase and to reject any visibly mouldy or contaminated items.
Additionally, he advised consumers to safely dispose of spoiled food and report the sale of unsafe, expired, or contaminated products to relevant governmental agencies responsible for public health and safety.
Solebo highlighted that consumers possess both rights and responsibilities, including the right to be informed about products and the duty to speak against unfair practices and make environmentally responsible choices.
He revealed that monitoring and enforcement teams have been deployed to markets across Lagos State to address the sale of unsafe food products.
