Kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch), also known as fox peach, vine pear,goat peach, wood fruit, hairy wood fruit, or hemp vine fruit, typically features an oval shape. Early in development, the fruit appears greenish-brown, turning reddish-brown upon ripening. Its surface is covered in dense, velvety hairs that are inedible, enclosing bright green flesh and a row of black or red seeds.Named "monkey fruit" because monkeys enjoy eating it; another theory suggests the name comes from its furry skin resembling a monkey. It is a tender, nutritious, and delicious fruit.
However, some fruit farmers are dipping young kiwifruit during the growth stage into a mixture of growth regulators.Growth enhancers, commonly known as "fruit enlargers" or "growth promoters," primarily stimulate cytokinin production. These hormone-like chemicals accelerate plant growth and size. Studies indicate that fruits and vegetables treated with growth enhancers develop weaker flavors, poorer textures, and reduced storage longevity. Additionally, they pose risks to human health, primarily affecting the nervous system and potentially causing developmental disorders or dementia in children.
A fruit farmer in Xilou Village, Louguan Town, Zhouzhi County, mixes two bottles of growth enhancer into water according to the specified ratio.
A fruit farmer in Nansizhu Village stated that without growth enhancers, kiwifruit remain small, making them difficult to sell. Fruit merchants are unwilling to purchase them, leading to reduced yields and income.Moreover, growth enhancers produced in Sichuan or Yangling are readily available at agricultural supply stores throughout Zhouzhi County's townships, villages, and county seat. These enhancers increase the net weight of a 100-gram kiwifruit by approximately 80 grams.
A fruit farmer in Nansizhu Village, Sizhu Township, Zhouzhi County, dilutes growth enhancer with water.
A fruit farmer in Nansizhu Village, Sizhu Township, Zhouzhi County, pours diluted growth enhancer into a dipping device to prepare for soaking young kiwifruit.
Searching Baidu for "kiwifruit" and "growth enhancer" yields 540 related news articles. Key points in these reports often revolve around "excessive use of growth enhancers on kiwifruit," "potential links between growth enhancer use and childhood developmental disorders or dementia," and "local government bans on growth enhancer use."In short, criticism predominates, while scientific explanations are scarce.
Expert: Agricultural growth regulators pose no human health risks
Claims that kiwifruit growth regulators harm human health first went viral online in 2011, sparking heated debate. Professor Ma Fengwang of Northwest A&F University stated that determining whether growth regulators harm human nerves is "difficult to ascertain.". Fang Zhouzi's Weibo also cited the 2008 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's explanation on growth regulators: "Growth regulators are plant growth regulators that have been used safely worldwide for many years. Comprehensive data exists regarding their toxicity. Based on various risk assessments, it can be reasonably determined that the accumulation of growth regulator residues poses no harm to the general population, infants, or children. There is no evidence indicating that growth regulators possess neurotoxicity."
Fang Zhouzi noted that the actual application rate of growth regulators is minimal—commercially available 0.1% chloropyriphos solutions are diluted 100 times before spraying or soaking. This dosage poses no harm to humans."Some argue: 'I'm not concerned about normal application rates, but rather that melon farmers might overuse it.' Such concerns are unnecessary. Unlike pesticides, plant hormones do not yield better results with higher doses. There exists an optimal application rate—excessive use actually diminishes effectiveness. Even if overapplied, the levels remain far below the aforementioned minimum harmful dose."
Ministry of Agriculture: Proper Use of Growth Regulators Poses No Safety Risk
>Furthermore, regarding concerns about growth regulators, the Ministry of Agriculture formally addressed the "watermelon explosion incidents" reported in some regions as early as July 2011. A representative from the Ministry's Pesticide Inspection Institute stated that plant growth regulators exhibit extremely low toxicity and residue levels. Extensive product testing revealed undetectable levels of these compounds. When used according to approved methods, safety incidents do not occur.
Gu Baogen, then Deputy Director of the Pesticide Inspection Institute, stated in a media interview: "China implements stringent safety management measures and usage regulations for plant growth regulators.First, plant growth regulators permitted for agricultural use must undergo registration in China, during which their safety is rigorously evaluated and tested. Second, pesticide residue limits have been established to ensure residues do not impact human health."
Gu Baogen explained that chlorpyriben is widely used in agricultural production. It increases fruit yield in various crops such as persimmons, melons, bitter gourds, grapes, tomatoes, watermelons, apples, and pears by promoting plant cell division, enhancing fruit enlargement, and boosting production. It is used as a fruit enlargement agent for multiple crops both domestically and internationally."Overall, plant growth regulators are highly safe. When used according to nationally approved labels and application methods, safety incidents will not occur," Gu Baogen stated.
Kiwi Fruit Use of Fruit Enlargers Is "Not Ideal"
Regarding the "fruit enlargement agent" issue, Professor Huang Yide from the College of Agriculture at Anhui Agricultural University previously noted that the primary component of kiwifruit enlargement agents is chloropyriphos. It can be mixed into a solution for soaking young fruit and poses no harm to humans, making it permissible for use. However, applying enlargement agents to kiwifruit merely increases size without necessarily benefiting growers.
Professor Huang Yide explained that high-quality kiwifruit typically weighs only 80 to 120 grams per fruit. However, fruit treated with growth regulators becomes exceptionally large, often exceeding 150 grams per fruit and sometimes reaching 250 grams. Consequently, some farmers use these agents to boost yields.
Professor Huang noted that high-quality kiwifruit grown without growth regulators exhibit regular shapes, typically elongated oval with a larger top and narrower base. Their calyxes are small, round, and inwardly retracted. The skin displays uniform yellowish-brown coloring with fine, non-shedding hairs.In contrast, kiwifruit treated with growth regulators exhibit irregular shapes, elongated and thickened calyxes protruding outward, greenish skin with uneven coloring ("two-tone" appearance), and coarse, easily shedded hairs.
Additionally, when cut open, fruit without growth regulators reveals a vibrant green core with a sweet-tart flavor. In contrast, fruit treated with growth regulators exhibits a coarse core, flesh that yellows upon ripening, a diluted taste, and poor storage quality.