A bizarre wave of exploding watermelons – possibly due to farmers’ abuse of a growth-boosting chemical – has once again spotlighted safety fears plaguing China’s poorly regulated food sector.

State media has said nearly 50 hectares of watermelon crops in the eastern city of Danyang have been ruined by the phenomenon this month after some growers doused them with the growth accelerator forchlorfenuron.

The use of forchlorfenuron is legal in China. In the US, the chemical is registered for use on grapes and kiwi fruit. Reports of bursting watermelons are not uncommon, especially involving thinner-skinned varieties.

But the exploding melons in Jiangsu province are likely to be viewed by skittish consumers as yet another sign of an agricultural sector addicted to chemicals – and the continuing failure of authorities to address the problem.

Forchlorfenuron-laced fruits remain safe to eat, the official Xinhua news agency said, but quoted consumers saying the episode had once again stoked food fears.

Large fruits are common in Chinese markets, such as strawberries as big as ping-pong balls and grapes as big as eggs.