This is definitely a consumer alert that all should be aware of. You may have noticed some unusually large watermelons and kiwi fruit on the shelves lately. China's largest base of these fruits has fallen into scandal as farmers are overusing growth chemicals in an attempt to make extra money for their enhanced weight. The chemicals are also being used in other countries who are the top producers of the world of these fruits.
An investigative report by China Central Television found farms in and around Danyang city in Jiangsu province were losing acres of fruit to the problem.
The farmers spray forchlorfenuron, a growth accelerator, during overly wet weather which make the melons burst, CCTV said, citing agricultural experts. Readers should be aware that
forchlorfenuron is also registered for use on grapes raisins, and kiwi fruit in the United States, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Canada and Europe.
Forchlorfenuron is a cytokinin, that is, it's a substance that promotes cell division and delays cell death. FCF acts on septins, which are key factors in mitosis, cell division. That function results in larger--and exploding--fruit. The application of excess FCF prompts cells to divide more rapidly. That's a cancer-like function.
Of course, the greater multiplication of cells produces bigger fruits, but that excess growth is not necessarily accompanied by adequate nutrients. Therefore, the stability and nutritional quality of the fruit tends to deteriorate.
According to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Fact Sheet, forchlorfenuron causes inflammation, growth retardation, emaciation, and increased mortality in rats tested.