“Cheap Food Could Cost Your Life” — Aproko Doctor Warns Nigerians Against Spoiled Tomatoes

Popular Nigerian health influencer Chinonso Egemba, widely known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians against consuming spoiled tomatoes and other fungus-infested foods, citing serious health risks linked to toxic contamination.

In a health advisory shared on X on Monday, Egemba cautioned that rotten tomatoes, locally referred to as Ata Esha or Awarawa, may contain harmful fungal toxins capable of causing severe illnesses.

“This tomato, 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.

According to the medical expert, the white patches commonly found inside decaying tomatoes are signs of fungal growth that produces aflatoxins — toxic substances associated with liver cancer in adults and stunted growth in children.

“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 explained.

Egemba further noted that the danger is not limited to tomatoes alone, as foods such as corn, onions, groundnuts, and grains can also become contaminated when stored in damp or unhygienic conditions.

He warned that many consumers are often tempted to buy contaminated produce because they are sold at lower prices in markets, choosing 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.

The influencer advised Nigerians to purchase fresh food items and ensure proper storage in cool, dry environments. He also stressed that removing visibly rotten portions does not eliminate the danger, as toxins may have already spread through the entire food item.