The Lagos State Government has issued a stern advisory urging residents to steer clear of purchasing or consuming decaying tomatoes, often referred to locally as ‘Ata Esha’, due to the significant health risks linked to mold-infested produce.
In a statement released by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), the agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, emphasized that tomatoes exhibiting white, green, or black fungal growth should be avoided entirely. These fungi can generate harmful substances like aflatoxins, which are known to cause severe liver damage and other critical health conditions.
Solebo clarified that the toxins present in spoiled tomatoes remain hazardous even after the fruit has been cooked, boiled, or fried, as heat does not necessarily neutralize them. ‘A person’s health is largely shaped by their dietary choices,’ Solebo remarked, urging consumers not to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of lower prices on compromised goods.
The agency further advised shoppers to thoroughly inspect food items before making purchases and to discard any visibly contaminated produce. Residents are also encouraged to report vendors selling unsafe, expired, or tainted products to the appropriate regulatory bodies responsible for public health, environmental safety, and consumer protection.
Solebo highlighted that consumers have both rights and duties, including the right to accurate product information, the responsibility to oppose unfair commercial practices, and the obligation to make environmentally conscious decisions. He disclosed that LASCOPA has deployed monitoring and enforcement teams across markets in Lagos State to apprehend traders involved in the sale of hazardous food items.