{
  "id": 20077023,
  "title": "Rotten bargains: Nigerians risk health for cheap tomatoes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/rotten-bargains-nigerians-risk-health-for-cheap-tomatoes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T23:56:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/rotten-bargains-nigerians-risk-health-for-cheap-tomatoes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As food prices soar in Nigeria, some residents are opting for subpar tomatoes and peppers in a bid to stretch their budgets. At a market in Lagos, Ronke Adeoye, a mother of three, found herself choosing between fresh tomatoes and damaged ones, known locally as \"esa.\" Despite some of the tomatoes being rotten, the trader insisted they were still suitable for cooking. Adeoye opted for the more affordable option, buying three plates of the \"esa\" tomatoes for N1,500, a cost savings of N500 compared to the price of fresh, unspoiled tomatoes. This practice is common in Nigerian food markets, where traders sell deteriorating produce at discounted rates to customers seeking to save money. Some consumers believe that removing and discarding the visibly rotten portions of the tomatoes and peppers makes them safe for consumption. Others simply accept the lower quality produce as a necessary trade-off for affordability. Traders at the market explained that spoilage often results from transportation and storage conditions, making these discounted goods an opportunity to recover some of the value of their stock. While some residents view this practice as a practical solution to rising food costs, others remain skeptical about the safety of consuming damaged produce.",
  "summary": "Amid rising food prices, some Nigerians are buying cheaper, deteriorating tomatoes and peppers, known as ‘esa’, despite the potential health risks. Read More: https://punchng.com/rotten-bargains-nigerians-risk-health-for-cheap-tomatoes/",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigerians choose subpar tomatoes to save money.",
    "Rotten tomatoes sold at discounted rates in Lagos market.",
    "Safety of consuming damaged produce debated."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rising food costs are forcing Nigerian consumers to prioritize immediate budget savings over nutritional safety, turning damaged produce into a common but risky staple for struggling households.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}