The Lagos State Government has warned residents against consuming spoiled or fungus-infested tomatoes, popularly known as “Ata Esha,” citing serious health risks associated with contaminated food products.
The warning was issued by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) through an official statement shared on the state government’s communication platforms. According to the agency, spoiled tomatoes may contain harmful fungi capable of producing dangerous toxins known as aflatoxins.
Speaking on the issue, the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, urged consumers to avoid purchasing or eating tomatoes with visible white, green, or black fungal growth. He stressed that contaminated tomatoes remain unsafe even after cooking, boiling, or frying because the toxins may survive high temperatures.
Health experts have repeatedly warned that consuming rotten tomatoes can expose people to liver damage, food poisoning, weakened immunity, and other serious health complications. Some nutritionists have also linked long-term exposure to aflatoxins with increased cancer risks.
The government’s warning comes amid rising food prices across Nigeria, which have pushed many households toward cheaper alternatives such as damaged tomatoes sold in markets as “esha.” Reports from Lagos markets show growing demand for partially rotten produce due to affordability concerns.
However, Solebo insisted that residents should prioritise health over cost and avoid buying visibly spoiled food items simply because they are cheaper. He encouraged consumers to carefully inspect food before purchase and properly dispose of contaminated products.
The agency also urged residents to report traders involved in the sale of unsafe or expired food products to relevant government authorities. According to LASCOPA, monitoring and enforcement teams have already been deployed to markets across Lagos to identify and sanction offenders.
Food safety advocates have similarly advised Nigerians to watch for warning signs such as mould, foul smell, wrinkled skin, leaking fluids, or unusually soft texture when buying tomatoes. Experts say any tomato showing such signs should be discarded immediately.
The latest advisory highlights growing concerns over food safety in Nigeria as inflation and rising transportation costs continue to affect food supply chains and consumer purchasing power.
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