The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency issued the alert on Sunday via a statement posted on the X account of the state government.

Afolabi Solebo, the agency’s general manager, advised customers not to buy or eat tomatoes with obvious white, green, or black fungal growth.

He claims that fungi on damaged tomatoes can develop toxic substances like aflatoxins, which can cause serious health issues like liver damage and associated illnesses.
“A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time,” Solebo stated when discussing the significance of eating a balanced diet.

“Cooking, boiling, or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, thereby making such food unsafe for human consumption,” he added.

The head of LASCOPA also advised customers not to buy damaged tomatoes just because they are less expensive, emphasizing that health and safety should always come first.
Residents of Lagos were urged by Solebo to thoroughly scrutinize food before making a purchase and to stay away from tomatoes and other food items that are obviously damaged or moldy.

Additionally, he counseled consumers to report the sale of dangerous, spoiled, or expired goods to the relevant government organizations in charge of consumer protection, environmental safety, and public health, as well as to properly dispose of tainted food items.

“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,” he added.

Solebo revealed that in order to capture vendors selling dangerous food items, government monitoring and enforcement teams had been sent to marketplaces throughout the state.