Exploding melons sow new China food fears
China: A bizarre wave of exploding watermelons — possibly due to
farmers’ abuse of a growth-boosting chemical — has once again
spotlighted safety fears plaguing China’s poorly regulated food sector.
State media has said nearly 50 hectares (120 acres) of watermelon
crops in the eastern city of Danyang have been ruined by the phenomenon
this month after some growers doused them with the growth accelerator
forchlorfenuron.
“On May 7, I came out and counted 80 (exploded watermelons), but by
the afternoon it was 100,” farmer Liu Mingsuo told state broadcaster
China Central Television (CCTV) in a report that aired Tuesday.
He said he had sprayed them with the chemical just a day before.
“Two days later I didn’t bother to count anymore,” added Liu, who
admitted using forchlorfenuron and saw three hectares of watermelons —
more than two-thirds of his crop — laid to waste.
The use of forchlorfenuron is not banned in China.
However, CCTV and other media reports also quoted experts saying a
wave of sudden heavy rainfall following a dry spell in the area may also
have been a contributing factor and that farmers who denied using the
chemical also had suffered problems.
Reports of bursting watermelons are not uncommon, especially
involving thinner-skinned varieties. But the exploding melons in Jiangsu
province are likely to be viewed by skittish consumers as yet another
sign of an agricultural sector addicted to chemicals — and the
continuing failure of authorities to address the problem.
China promised decisive action after a huge 2008 milk scandal that
saw at least six infants die and 300,000 sickened by dairy products
tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.
Melamine was added to give the appearance of higher protein content.
But a string of new reports has emerged in recent weeks involving
tainted pork, toxic milk, dyed buns and other dodgy foods that have in
many cases sickened consumers.
Beijing, Wednesday, AFP
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