An off‐odour, described by the growers as similar to profenofos, occurred in melons in which this pesticide had been used in crop treatment. However, profenofos, 0‐(4‐bromo‐2‐chlorophenyl)O‐ethylS‐propyl phosphorothioate, could not be detected in the melons using GC/MS although a component with a shorter retention time was found. Concentration of melon volatiles by steam distillation yielded a product identical to that obtained by hydrolysis of profenofos, identified as 4‐bromo‐2‐chlorophenol. A solution of this compound in water had similar organoleptic properties to that of the contaminated fruits. It was concluded that 4‐bromo‐2‐chlorophenol was responsible for the taint detected in melons.