Nigerians have been urged to stop consuming spoiled tomatoes and other visibly rotten food items, as health experts warn they may contain dangerous toxins capable of causing cancer and stunted growth in children.

Popular medical doctor and health educator Chinonso Egemba, known widely as Aproko Doctor, raised the alarm in a recent advisory shared on social media. He cautioned that the cheap, overripe tomatoes commonly sold in markets and nicknamed “Ata Esha” or “Awarawa” are often infested with fungi that produce aflatoxins, a group of highly toxic substances.

Egemba explained that the whitish streaks or patches sometimes seen inside spoiled tomatoes are not harmless discolorations but signs of fungal growth. These fungi, he said, can generate aflatoxins that gradually damage the liver when eaten repeatedly over time.

He warned that long-term exposure to aflatoxins has been linked to liver cancer in adults, while children face additional risks such as stunted growth and impaired development. Simply cutting off the visibly rotten parts, he stressed, does not make the food safe, because the toxins can spread beyond the obviously affected areas.

The doctor noted that the danger is not limited to tomatoes. Other staples, including maize, groundnuts, grains, onions, and similar produce, can also become contaminated when stored in warm, damp, or poorly ventilated conditions. Once fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus grow on these foods, they may release aflatoxins that remain even after cooking.

Egemba expressed concern that many Nigerians, pressured by rising food prices, are turning to cheaper, visibly damaged produce in an attempt to save money. He warned that this false economy could lead to serious health problems, especially for low-income families who rely heavily on such foods.

He advised consumers to buy fresh, firm tomatoes and grains, avoid items with white, green, or black patches, and discard any food that smells musty or feels damp. Proper storage in cool, dry conditions, he added, is essential to prevent fungal growth and toxin formation.

Lagos authorities have also previously cautioned residents against purchasing spoiled or fungus-infested tomatoes, reinforcing the message that food safety must take priority over cost when shopping in markets and preparing meals at home.