Buzz
The year 2020 has been anything but ordinary, and for people in Washington, Louisiana, Kansas, Virginia, Utah, Arizona, and Ohio, things are taking an even stranger turn.
The New York Times reports that individuals in these states have been getting unsolicited seed packages seemingly sent from China. Authorities are urging recipients not to plant these seeds, as they could potentially harm native plant ecosystems.
The seeds often come in white packages marked with Chinese characters and the label “China Post.” In states like Kansas and Washington, the parcels were mislabeled as containing jewelry, and similar mislabeling may have occurred elsewhere.
These unusual shipments pose a significant risk, as it’s impossible to determine if the seeds carry diseases that could harm plants or introduce insects capable of damaging local crops.
Authorities in Ohio have suggested that the seeds might be a tactic used by dishonest online sellers to boost their ratings. By shipping low-cost items and then posting fake reviews, these vendors could build a false reputation, potentially enabling them to carry out scams in the future.
Regardless of the intent behind these shipments, the safest course of action is to either discard the seeds or contact your state’s agricultural department or the USDA for guidance.
