Health influencer and medical doctor Chinonso Egemba, known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians to stop eating spoiled tomatoes and other fungus-infested foods popularly called “Ata Esha” or “Awarawa.” He said the practice exposes people to toxins that can cause serious long-term illness.
In a viral advisory posted on X on Monday, Egemba explained that the white growths seen inside rotten tomatoes are caused by fungi that produce aflatoxins. He described aflatoxins as hazardous compounds linked to liver cancer in adults and stunted growth in children when consumed repeatedly.
The risk, he noted, is not limited to tomatoes. Corn, onions, groundnuts, and grains stored in damp or poor conditions can also harbour the same fungi and toxins. Markets often sell these cheaper, spoiled items, and consumers may unknowingly trade safety for affordability.
Egemba cautioned that trimming off visibly rotten parts does not make the food safe, because contamination can spread internally. He urged Nigerians to discard grains or produce with strange smells or dampness and to store food in cool, dry places to prevent fungal growth.
The warning aligns with earlier cautions from the Lagos State Government. The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency had advised residents to avoid tomatoes with white, green, or black fungal patches, citing significant health risks.
The National Cancer Institute explains that aflatoxins are produced by _Aspergillus flavus_ and _Aspergillus parasiticus_, fungi that thrive in warm, humid conditions and can contaminate crops in the field, during harvest, or in storage. Humans are exposed to contaminated plant foods or animal products from livestock fed with contaminated feed.
Aproko Doctor’s bottom line is clear: what looks like a money-saving buy could cost far more in health. He urged Nigerians to prioritise fresh produce and proper storage, stressing that no amount of low price justifies risking liver damage or cancer from toxins you cannot see or taste.
