Exploding melons

China’s ongoing food safety scandals now include exploding watermelons, burst by too-liberal use of a chemical that makes them grow fast.

Chinese media first reported on the mysteriously exploding melons in southern China several days ago, leading to questions about the reason for their bursting. Today, official media, which appears to have had it censorship muzzle lifted on the issue of food safety in recent days, reports that a chemical is behind the melon explosions.

China Central Television (CCTV) said experts fault abuse of the growth chemical forchlorfenuron in the explosions of fields full of unripe melons. The chemical cuts the growth process and speeds food to market faster for higher profits.