SHENZHEN: Trade of watermelons from the mainland to Hong Kong remains slow following concerns over the safety of the refreshing fruit.

According to the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine, the daily supply of watermelons from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, which accounts for the majority of the mainland's supply to the region, stood at less than 200 tons over the weekend.

The normal level is 400 to 500 tons a day, but the level dropped after rumours spread that some melons were being injected to improve appearance.

A Guangzhou-based newspaper Information Times reported on July 20 that some fruits had been injected with harmful liquids including saccharin, artificial colouring and the hormone merbromin.

"It may take more time for Hong Kong consumers to regain confidence," a quarantine official in Shenzhen told China Daily yesterday.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine refuted the rumour, stressing in a statement that none of the 11,600 tons of watermelons exported to Hong Kong in the first seven months of this year have been found with any traces of harmful substances.

Hong Kong government agencies spot-tested watermelons but they also found no harmful substances, said the statement.

It quoted expert analysis that injection of water or merbromin could not improve the colour of the watermelon, and instead would speed up decay and worsen taste.

Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine checked all watermelon exporters and processing plants in the city and sampled every species of watermelon with different origins on the border last week, but found no offenders.

"We will ensure the safety of exported products through strict quarantine. Every processing plant is put on record and under electronic surveillance. As well as rigid quarantine, we will also check samples before they go across the border," said the official.

Locals involved in the melon trade said they were not being seriously affected by the dip in trade.

According to an employee surnamed Song with the Buji Farm Product Wholesaling Centre, one of the biggest in the country, the amount supplied to local markets is now back to normal, although prices are lower.

"The supply of watermelons reached about 800 tons today. It has been cut slightly over the past 15 days but the reduction was not obvious," he told China Daily. Most of his watermelons supply the local market.

"It's ridiculous to inject merbromin into watermelons. Wholesalers here never do it," he said.

He attributed the price drop, about 0.6 yuan (7 US cents) less per kilogram compared with June, to rising supply and decreasing demand.

"The frequent tropical storms have brought comfortable weather that has reduced people's demand for watermelons," he explained.

Source: China Daily