Popular health influencer and medical doctor, Chinonso Egemba, widely known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians against the consumption of spoiled tomatoes and other fungus-infested food items popularly referred to as “Ata Esha” or “Awarawa,” saying they may pose serious health risks if consumed regularly.
Egemba, in a viral health advisory posted on x on Monday, cautioned that some of the visibly rotten tomatoes in circulation contain harmful fungal growths that could produce toxins dangerous to human health.
“This tomatoe commonly called spoiled tomatoes (Ata Esha) or awarawa… there’s a poison inside this tomato that a lot of you don’t know about, but you’re eating it every day,” he said.
He explained that the white substances often seen inside such tomatoes are caused by fungi that can produce aflatoxins, which he described as hazardous when consumed over time.
“Those white things inside the tomato is caused by a fungus that produces a toxin known as aflatoxin… aflatoxin has been shown to actually cause liver cancer in adults. If you give it to children, it can cause stunted growth as well as other things,” he added.
According to him, the risk is not limited to tomatoes alone but also affects other food items such as corn, onions, groundnuts, and grains, especially when stored in damp or improper conditions.
He warned that such contaminated food items are often sold in markets due to their lower cost, noting that consumers may unknowingly prioritise affordability over safety.
“You might think you are saving money by eating this type of tomato, but you are actually risking your life,” he said, adding that in some cases, such ingredients are even used in food prepared in restaurants. Egemba urged Nigerians to prioritise fresh produce and proper storage, warning against cutting off visibly rotten portions of food, as contamination may already have spread internally.
He advised that grains and food items showing unusual smell or signs of dampness should be discarded immediately, stressing proper storage in cool and dry environments.
According to the National Cancer Institute, aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain fungi commonly found on agricultural crops such as maize, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.
The fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, thrive in warm and humid conditions and can contaminate crops in the field, during harvest, or during storage.
The institute further notes that humans are exposed to aflatoxins through contaminated plant products or animal products derived from livestock fed with contaminated feed.
Exposure to aflatoxins is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has previously warned residents against consuming spoiled or fungus-infested tomatoes, citing significant health risks.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Afolabi Solebo, had urged consumers to avoid tomatoes showing visible fungal growth, such as white, green, or black patches.
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