Aproko Doctor Warns Nigerians Against Eating Spoiled Tomatoes, Fungus-Infested Foods

Popular health influencer Chinonso Egemba has advised Nigerians to avoid consuming spoiled tomatoes and other foods contaminated by fungi, warning that they may contain dangerous toxins harmful to human health.

In a health advisory posted on X on Monday, Egemba explained that rotten tomatoes, popularly known as Ata Esha or Awarawa, often harbour fungi capable of producing aflatoxins poisonous substances associated with serious health conditions.

According to him, the white patches commonly found inside spoiled tomatoes are signs of fungal growth and should not be ignored.

He noted that prolonged exposure to aflatoxins has been linked to liver cancer in adults, while children exposed to such toxins may suffer stunted growth and other health complications.

Egemba also stated that the risk is not limited to tomatoes alone, as foods such as corn, onions, groundnuts, and grains stored in damp or poorly ventilated conditions can also become contaminated.

The health influencer further warned Nigerians against the common practice of cutting away rotten portions before consuming food, stressing that the toxins may have already spread beyond the visibly affected areas.