BEWARE – Americans Have Been Receiving Unsolicited Seeds From China

There have been over 160 reports of people in Florida receiving unidentified and unsolicited seeds in the mail from China. It has also been noted similar packages have arrived to people in Kansas, Washington, Virginia, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Utah.

The seed packets arrive in packages with Chinese characters, may be packaged with the name “China Post” and may be labeled as jewelry. The seeds have unknown origin and could possibly be invasive. They could introduce plant and animal diseases, toxins and/or pathogens.

The Florida Department of Agriculture is asking for anyone who has received the seeds to not open them, plant them or even throw them in the trash. The package should be reported to them a 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov, or contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.