Greene County has been identified by the USDA as a “hot spot” for “mystery seeds” arriving in people’s mailboxes. At least one Jefferson resident has already received unsolicited seeds in his mail from outside the U.S.
People across the country have received seeds, with most of them coming from China, although the USDA knows of a package from Uzbekistan as well. Some of the recipients have previously ordered seeds online, although not the seeds that are arriving now. Other recipients have never ordered seed.
The USDA is concerned about the packages because the seed is unlabeled and could be an invasive plant that isn’t currently in the U.S., or the seed may contain seed-borne diseases not already in the U.S. Some packets appear to have an unknown seed treatment applied, and because the packets are unlabeled there’s no way to know what the treatment compounds may be, nor how dangerous they could be to human health.
Finally, seed is an agricultural commodity that is regulated for quality and content by the USDA as well as state departments of agriculture. The unlabeled packages are unregulated.
Anyone receiving the unlabeled seed from an unknown origin is asked to retain the original packaging and report it immediately to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-5321. Recipients shouldn’t open the seed packet, plant the seed, or attempt to destroy it.
IDALS, or the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect, analyze, and properly destroy the seeds.
APHIS is working with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and state departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.
According to an APHIS press release, this may be a “brushing scam,” in which persons receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost online sales.
