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The Lagos State Government has warned residents against consuming fungus-infested tomatoes, popularly known as “Ata Esha,” citing serious health risks linked with such products.
The warning was issued on Sunday by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) through a statement posted on the state government’s X page.
The General Manager of the agency, Afolabi Solebo, warns consumers to avoid buying and consuming tomatoes showing visible white, green, or black fungal growth.
LASCOPA WARNS CONSUMERS AGAINST CONSUMPTION OF SPOILED TOMATOES
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), has warned residents against the consumption of spoiled or fungus-infested tomatoes popularly known as “Ata Esha,” citing… pic.twitter.com/RwmCwnG4Lo
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) May 17, 2026
According to him, fungi found on spoiled tomatoes may produce harmful toxins, including aflatoxins, which can lead to severe health complications, including liver damage and related diseases.
Solebo went further to say that, “A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time.” He explained that “cooking, boiling, or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, thereby making such food unsafe for human consumption.”
Also, the LASCOPA chief cautioned Lagos residents against buying spoiled tomatoes because they are cheaper, emphasising that health and safety should always be considered over cost considerations. He advised Lagos residents to carefully inspect food items before purchasing and avoid visibly spoiled or mouldy tomatoes and other food products.
Solebo encouraged consumers to properly dispose of contaminated food items and report the sale of unsafe, expired, or spoiled products to the appropriate government agencies responsible for public health, environmental safety, and consumer protection.
He noted that “consumers have fundamental rights as well as responsibilities, including being well-informed about products and services, speaking out against unfair practices, and making ethical and environmentally conscious choices.”
The LASCOPA chief revealed that the Lagos government’s monitoring and enforcement teams had been deployed to markets across the state to apprehend traders selling unsafe food products.
