Kansas City, MO - If you get seeds in the mail from China that you didn't order - do not open it, and don't throw it away.
Departments of Agriculture in both Kansas and Missouri are warning residents to be wary of getting an unsolicited seed shipment in the mail.
People across the U.S. have been reporting receiving unsolicited packages containing seeds from China in the mail. The seeds are usually sent in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words “China Post.”
KDA has been notified that Kansas residents have received unsolicited packages containing unknown types of seeds. If you receive a package of this type, please DO NOT plant these seeds. Read the full news release here: https://t.co/fw6XCcbRxZ pic.twitter.com/OrzcIcRI70
— Kansas Dept of Ag (@KansasDeptofAg) July 25, 2020
Officials are not saying there is anything in the package that could be dangerous to touch or to have in your home, but they say planting them could be harmful.
Also, throwing them in the trash could be harmful as well, as moisture could reach the seeds in a trash dump and begin to sprout.
The KS Dept.of Agriculture says if you receive a package like this:
- Please DO NOT plant these seeds.
- If they are in sealed packaging, don’t open the sealed package.
- Instead, please contact KDA’s plant protection and weed control program at 785-564-6698, via email at: KDA.PPWC@ks.gov
- Or report a seed complaint in Kansas here
If in Missouri:
Contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division by phone at (573) 751-2462 or by email at aginfo@mda.mo.gov
Friends don't let friends plant mystery seeds! The Department has received reports of Missourians receiving unsolicited seeds from foreign countries such as China. The seeds are sent in packages usually stating that the contents are jewelry (see below for examples).(1/3) pic.twitter.com/LPBfxD7kxo
— Missouri Dept. of Ag (@MoAgriculture) July 27, 2020
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service’s Plant Protection and Quarantine Smuggling, Interdiction and Trade Compliance Unit is currently investigating this situation across the nation.
