A large number of unripe watermelons exploded unintentionally like bombs in the 115 acre farmland of the modern agricultural demonstration garden in Danyang, Jiangsu Province recently.
The explosion still haunts local farmers as field after field of watermelons burst into shattered shells. Meanwhile many are worried that the watermelons may not be safe to eat, because it has been reported that a kind of additive is widely used in the melon industry.
Debate on growth stimulant
The chemical being injected into watermelons is called forchlorfenuron, which can stimulate the growth of plants. Experts say the melons split open because the local farmers applied it too late in the growing cycle.
On May 18, Chongqing Evening News reported forchlorfenuron is a harmful chemical that may cause encephalitis, dysplasia and dementia. It said the chemical was first created by Japan in 1985, but was later found to cause serious side effect when the Japanese used them in accelerating the growth of fruits. However, China imported it under the permission of Ministry of Agriculture.
On the same day, The Beijing News reported an opposite viewpoint, stating that the chemical is safe for use at recommended doses. Melons will experience a gap period before being sold, so the residue can hardly be tested. The report said the chemical won’t hurt human bodies because it has been widely used in China for a long time.
These two newspapers presented disparate viewpoints on the growth stimulant, with each paper quoting an expert to back their views.
In fact, forchlorfenuron was first created in the United States. Then later it was produced by Japan since 1985, but was banned due to serious side effects. Presently in the US, the chemical is merely permitted to be used for growth of grapes and kiwifruit.
In China, the use of the chemical is not prohibited, so farmers can use it to promote growth in fruits and boost profit. However, some farmers use excessively. They spray the melons with forchlorfenuron in hopes that they can double their yields and earn more money.
"The fruit may irritate human digestive system if eaten," a gastroenterologist at Shanghai's Renji Hospital said when he heard news about the explosion.
Meanwhile, Feng Shuangqing, professor at China Agricultural University pointed out that the ban on the chemical by Japan is already an evidence of its danger. So why is it still "widely used" in China?
Watermelon ‘explosion’ event exposes regulatory loopholes
Consumers have recently been more concerned than ever about the misuse of potentially harmful additives after a series of food safety cases such as the Sanlu milk scandal and feeding pigs with clenbuterol.
According to the pesticide management regulations, growth stimulant is a kind of pesticide, but it is not on the list of test items during agricultural sampling tests.
This issue has again exposed regulatory loopholes. The government doesn’t monitor the growing process or test the level of potential harmful additives after the melons are ripe. No one knows for sure whether they are safe to eat or not.
Use of chemicals in food must be measured within standards
"Growth stimulants have been used for a long time in China. Although it’s only a low-risk pesticide, it is still harmful to human body. We must use them according to the recommended standards," said an expert from China Agricultural University, who asked to remain anonymous.
In fact, China does not have a national standard in terms of plant growth stimulants. The government only follows internationally recognized standards for food safety in theory, while in practice they usually ignore the rules.
This year in April, the government has voiced alarms over the widespread overuse of food additives like dyes and sweeteners that retailers hope to make food appear fresher and more attractive in order to boost sales.
