An viral audio clip has sparked controversy after it warned citizens against eating tomatoes due to holes in them, which it said are due to snake bites.
The head of Farmers Syndicate, Hussein Abdel-Rahman Abu-Saddam, refuted these allegations, saying that the circulating warning is nothing more than baseless rumors.
He added that the holes in tomatoes are not caused by snake bites as some claim, but are actually caused by an insect known as the “tomato weevil”.
Abu-Saddam explained that this insect, in its larval stage, digs tunnels in the leaves and fruits of tomatoes, which causes the crop to be destroyed and weakened significantly.
He said: “The insect may attack other crops such as potatoes, eggplant and peppers, but it prefers tomatoes in particular, and is a major cause of low production and fruit damage if its spread is not properly controlled.”
The head of the Farmers Syndicate pointed out that the rumor of a snake bite in tomatoes is completely illogical, as snakes do not feed on plant but instead depend on insects and rodents as they are carnivorous.
He called on citizens to use logic and rationality before believing rumors spread over the Internet.
Abu-Saddam also noted that farmers planting tomatoes currently in the winter season will be a reason for a decrease in tomato prices during the month of November, especially with the improvement of weather conditions due to falling temperatures and a decrease in demand for buying tomatoes.
He concluded his statements by providing some advice to citizens on how to deal with vegetables: “You must wash vegetables well before eating them, and remove any parts that may appear spoiled. I also advise against buying tomatoes or any other vegetables if their shape or size is abnormal or if they have an unpleasant smell.”
