The advisory comes amid growing reports of traders still selling visibly decayed tomatoes at reduced prices, a practice authorities say puts consumers at unnecessary risk.
The Lagos State Government, through its consumer protection arm, has urged residents to be more cautious when purchasing food items, especially tomatoes showing signs of fungal contamination such as white, green, or black mould growth.
In a statement released via the state government’s X account, the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency stressed that even when these products appear cheaper, the health consequences can be severe and long-lasting.
The agency’s General Manager, Afolabi Solebo, emphasized the importance of everyday food choices in determining overall well-being. He stated, “A healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes from time to time.”
He further warned that common household cooking methods are not enough to neutralize the dangers posed by contaminated produce. In his words, “cooking, boiling, or frying contaminated tomatoes may not eliminate the harmful toxins, thereby making such food unsafe for human consumption.”
According to health experts referenced by the agency, fungi found on spoiled tomatoes can produce toxins such as aflatoxins. These substances are particularly dangerous because they may accumulate in the body over time and are linked to serious conditions, including liver damage and other chronic diseases.
Solebo also addressed the tendency of some consumers to prioritize affordability over safety, cautioning that buying spoiled produce simply because it is cheaper can be a costly mistake in the long run.
He urged Lagos residents to take a more proactive approach when shopping for food, including carefully inspecting tomatoes and other perishables before purchase, and avoiding any items that show visible signs of spoilage or mould.
Beyond consumer vigilance, he encouraged the public to dispose of contaminated food properly and report vendors who sell unsafe or expired goods to relevant authorities responsible for public health and environmental safety.
Reinforcing the broader message of civic responsibility, Solebo 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 agency also disclosed that monitoring and enforcement teams have been deployed across markets in Lagos to identify and apprehend traders who continue to sell unsafe food products, signaling stricter oversight in the coming weeks.