Reported by Fasesan Marian opeyemi | Editor-in-Chief | Journalist at Sele Media Africa.

LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has issued an urgent public health alert warning residents against the consumption of spoiled tomatoes, locally known as “Ata Esha,” citing severe health risks linked to toxic fungal contaminants found in decayed produce.

Health authorities confirmed that rotten tomatoes may contain mycotoxins—poisonous compounds produced by certain moulds—which, if ingested regularly, can cause liver damage, kidney failure, and other serious complications. The warning, announced on Saturday, targets traders, food vendors, and households across Africa’s largest city, urging immediate adherence to food safety protocols.

The Health Threat: Mycotoxins in Decayed Produce

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, emphasised that the danger lies not in the visible spoilage alone but in the invisible toxins that permeate the fruit. “When tomatoes begin to rot, fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium species proliferate. These fungi produce mycotoxins, including aflatoxins and ochratoxins, which are heat-stable and survive cooking,” the statement read.

Professor Abayomi warned that chronic exposure to these toxins, even in small amounts, can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer, and immunosuppression. The alert specifically targets the informal food sector, where vendors often salvage visibly spoiled tomatoes for sale at reduced prices, unaware of the cumulative health risks.

“We are not just talking about a stomach upset. We are talking about long-term, irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys,” Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunlana, a public health physician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), told Sele Media Africa. “The problem is particularly acute in low-income communities where every tomato is counted, and waste is seen as a luxury.”

Environmental Impact: The Spoilage Crisis and Food Waste

The alert also shines a spotlight on the environmental and economic dimensions of food spoilage in Nigeria. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Nigeria loses up to 40 percent of its perishable produce, including tomatoes, annually due to inadequate storage, transportation, and preservation infrastructure.

In Lagos, a city of over 20 million people, the environmental cost is staggering. Spoiled tomatoes, often dumped in open markets and drainage channels, decompose anaerobically, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. This contributes to urban air pollution and exacerbates climate change impacts in a region already vulnerable to extreme weather events.

“The spoilage of tomatoes is not just a health issue; it is an environmental crisis,” said Dr. Adebayo Ogunlesi, an environmental scientist at the University of Lagos. “When we throw away rotten produce, we are not only wasting the water, land, and energy used to grow them, but we are also generating methane that heats our planet. The Lagos State Government’s alert must be seen as a call to action on both fronts.”

The environmental angle is further complicated by the use of chemical preservatives. Some vendors, in a desperate bid to extend shelf life, have been known to apply calcium carbide or formalin to tomatoes—practices that introduce additional toxic residues into the food chain and contaminate soil and water sources when washed off.

Market Reactions and Enforcement

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has announced immediate enforcement measures, including spot checks at major markets such as Mile 12, Ketu, and Oyingbo. Traders found selling visibly decayed or chemically preserved tomatoes face fines, confiscation of goods, and potential closure of their stalls.

“We are deploying inspectors across all 20 local government areas,” said LASCOPA General Manager, Mr. Afolabi Soleye. “Our message is clear: public health comes before profit. We urge consumers to report any vendor selling spoiled or chemically treated tomatoes to our hotline.”

At Mile 12 Market, one of West Africa’s largest food hubs, reactions were mixed. “I understand the government’s concern, but what do we do with the tomatoes that spoil overnight?” asked Hajia Amina Bello, a tomato wholesaler with 15 years of experience. “We cannot afford to throw them away. We need better cold storage facilities, not just warnings.”

Pan-African and Global Significance

The Lagos alert resonates across Africa, where post-harvest losses remain a critical barrier to food security and economic development. According to the African Development Bank, the continent loses an estimated $48 billion annually to post-harvest losses, with tomatoes among the most affected crops.

In Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania, similar health alerts have been issued in recent years, highlighting a systemic challenge: the absence of robust cold chain infrastructure in tropical climates. The Lagos State Government’s warning is therefore not an isolated incident but a reflection of a continental crisis that demands coordinated investment in storage, transportation, and public education.

Internationally, the alert aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.

What Happens Next

The Lagos State Government has announced a multi-agency task force, comprising the Ministry of Health, LASCOPA, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to monitor compliance and conduct public awareness campaigns. A 30-day amnesty period has been declared, during which vendors can voluntarily surrender spoiled produce without penalty. After that, full enforcement begins.

Public health officials are also collaborating with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to test tomato samples from markets across the state for mycotoxin levels. Results are expected within two weeks and will inform potential regulatory changes.

For now, the message from Lagos is unequivocal: if it is rotten, do not eat it. The health of millions—and the environment that sustains them—depends on it.

SOURCES

• Lagos State Ministry of Health official statement, May 16, 2026
• Professor Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State
• Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunlana, Public Health Physician, LUTH
• Dr. Adebayo Ogunlesi, Environmental Scientist, University of Lagos
• Mr. Afolabi Soleye, General Manager, LASCOPA
• Hajia Amina Bello, Tomato Wholesaler, Mile 12 Market
• Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Post-Harvest Loss Data, 2025
• African Development Bank Report on Post-Harvest Losses, 2024
• BBC News, Channels Television, The Guardian Nigeria, Punch Newspapers, Vanguard Nigeria

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.