Lagos warns against eating rotten tomatoes

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has warned residents against consuming spoilt or fungus-infested tomatoes, citing serious health risks.

The advisory was issued on Sunday in a statement shared via the Lagos State Government’s official X handle, with the agency urging consumers to be more cautious when purchasing food items.

General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, cautioned against buying or eating tomatoes showing signs of white, green, or black fungal growth.

He explained that fungi found on rotten tomatoes can produce harmful toxins such as aflatoxins, which may lead to severe health complications, including liver damage and other illnesses.

“A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time,” he said, stressing the importance of safe food habits.

Solebo also warned that cooking methods such as boiling or frying do not eliminate these toxins, making contaminated tomatoes unsafe for consumption regardless of preparation.

He advised residents not to be tempted by the lower cost of spoilt produce, noting that health should take precedence over affordability.

Consumers were urged to properly inspect food items before purchase, avoid visibly contaminated produce, and dispose of unsafe items appropriately.

He also encouraged the public to report traders selling expired or unsafe food products.

According to him, enforcement teams have been deployed across markets to clamp down on the sale of contaminated goods.

The warning follows a viral video showing two women allegedly taking maggot-infested tomatoes and peppers to a grinding mill in the Mile 12 area for food preparation.

Authorities confirmed that one suspect has been arrested, while another remains at large.