The Lagos State Government has warned residents against buying or consuming spoiled tomatoes, popularly known as “Ata Esha,” over the health dangers associated with fungus-infested food products.
The warning was issued through the Lagos State Consumer
Protection Agency, LASCOPA, which advised consumers to avoid tomatoes with
visible white, green or black fungal growth.
The General Manager of the agency, Afolabi Solebo, said
fungi found on rotten tomatoes could produce dangerous toxins, including
aflatoxins, which may cause serious health conditions such as liver damage and
other related illnesses.
According to him, contaminated tomatoes remain harmful even
after cooking, boiling or frying, as the toxins may not be completely destroyed
by heat.
“a healthy person is determined by what he or she consumes
from time to time,” Solebo said.
He emphasised that consumers should not compromise their
health and safety because of the lower prices of spoiled food items sold in the
markets.
The LASCOPA boss also urged Lagos residents to properly
examine food items before buying them and avoid visibly mouldy or contaminated
tomatoes and other food products.
He further advised consumers to safely dispose of spoiled
food items and report the sale of unsafe, expired or contaminated products to
government agencies responsible for public health, environmental safety and
consumer protection.
Solebo noted that consumers have rights as well as
responsibilities, including being properly informed about products and
services, speaking out against unfair practices and making environmentally
responsible choices.
He disclosed that monitoring and enforcement teams have
already been deployed to markets across Lagos State to arrest traders involved
in the sale of unsafe food products.
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