It says it’s jewelry and is from China. This is what’s being delivered by USPO to some people in my area. Some of the mail misleadingly says the … Unsolicited seeds… "I've had people describe to me that the seeds are coated with something purple. Officials Investigate Mystery Seeds Sent By Mail Hundreds of people in the region have received seeds from China that they didn't order. August 4, 2020 / 6:55 AM pic.twitter.com/bzkT9FCiah, We got weird seeds from China in the mail just the other day in Southern California @lookner pic.twitter.com/YeUq2wpxiz. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Now the feds are investigating. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. First published on August 3, 2020 / 7:02 AM. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. The U.S. is a seed exporter to Asia but not a seed importer. The mystery of the mystery seeds from China is starting to clear up as investigators are focusing on an internet scam for some and fear stoked… Mark Ballard Author facebook (FOX 9) - Minnesotans reported receiving mysterious packages of seeds from China, leading the Department of Agriculture to issue a warning Monday. FDA authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, SCOTUS rejects Texas bid to overturn election results in 4 states, Feds to buy additional 100 million doses of Moderna vaccine, Why some Black Americans are skeptical of a COVID-19 vaccine, Biden, Harris introduce team who will "deliver immediate relief", FKA twigs sues Shia LaBeouf over alleged sexual assault, Mayor slams U.S. Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, recommends storing them away from children and pets. Do not open the seed packets and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials. What did North Carolinians do with those mystery seeds from China? Officials are concerned the mystery seeds… It says it’s jewelry and is from China. Some of the mail misleadingly says the envelopes contain jewelry while others don't identify the package contents. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – … Here's what to do if you receive them. The U.S. isn’t the only country receiving mysterious seeds from China. Seeds Are Also Being Sent to People in Britain. Take it all to your local police department or post office," wrote one user. The USDA continues to investigate. / CBS News. Receiving a surprise package in the mail can feel akin to getting a birthday present. ", Phylissia Clark of the Better Business Bureau told CBS DFW that if you are a victim of brushing, "your identity has been compromised.". Federal and state officials are issuing warnings about mysterious packages of seeds that are being delivered to people around the country. They includes mustard, cabbage and morning glory as well as herbs like mint, sage, rosemary and lavender. Mystery seeds mailed from China: What you should do if you receive them. The USDA is collecting seed packages to test and determine whether they could be dangerous. Seeds from China have shown up unsolicited in U.S. mailboxes. Aug. 8, 2020. The seeds typically arrive in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words "China Post." WARNINGS are issued in at least 28 states across the US as Americans have received unsolicited packages of mysterious seeds that appear to be arriving from China… Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. The mystery of how and why unsolicited packages full of seeds from overseas are showing up in American's mail has now moved through all states and still remains unsolved. If you receive one or know some who does, do not open the seeds! The USDA recommends people don't open, plant, or throw away the packages. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io. Man serving 90-year sentence for selling marijuana is released, Brandon Bernard executed for role in 1999 murder of couple, Zodiac Killer's cipher solved by amateur codebreakers, California Privacy/Information We Collect. This content is imported from Twitter. It’s a bag of unknown seeds. So far, however, the species appear to be innocuous. Adidas' Popular Face Mask Is Back in Stock Today. The seeds vary in size, color, and shape. People across the country are receiving mysterious packages from China that contain unknown seeds. Mystery seeds from China showing up in people’s mailboxes. Mystery seeds reportedly have China are randomly showing up in the mailboxes of U.S. and U.K. residents. "Brushing scams involving seed packets in international mail shipments are not uncommon," the USDA said. jennifer: not quite knowing what to do with t strange package of seeds from china she didn’t order. At least 14 of the seed species had been identified as of July 29, according to Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. By Ashley Langreck Email Follow. Records on the packages appear to have been falsified, according to checks by China’s … Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from USDA. CBS News confirmed that residents in all 50 states have reported receiving the suspicious packages of seeds. How Safe Are mRNA COVID Vaccines? Currently, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working with the Department of Homeland Security and local departments of agriculture to investigate the seeds. Place the seed packet AND mailing materials into a sealable plastic bag – this is important to determining the origin of the seeds. From New York to Washington state, a growing number of people have recently reported receiving unsolicited shipments of seeds -- that appear to have been sent from China. Goward’s mystery seeds are among potentially thousands of shipments reported this week in the US, ... A package from China containing seeds received by a Rock Island resident in Illinois. "It could be a bacteria. Do not plant the seeds. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has intercepted similar seed shipments in recent years. It could be another virus, some kind of invasive species," Miller told CBS Dallas-Fort Worth. The USDA and agriculture officials across the U.S. have issued warnings about unsolicited shipments of foreign seeds and advised people not to plant them. N.J. residents find those mystery seeds from China in their mail. So far, however, the species appear to be innocuous. The Truth About Air Filters and COVID Prevention, Dr. Mike Breaks Down 3 Conditions Doctors Miss, How to Do Mindfulness if You Find it Excruciating, Alyssa Milano Reveals Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms. State agriculture officials in Virginia warned, "Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Some people have not placed an order for seed and they’re getting this package unsolicited. Mystery seed packages sent to Americans from China States are issuing warnings not to open the seeds as they could be invasive or carry disease or pests. Do not plant … Do not dispose of the seeds; releasing them into our local ecosystems could prove harmful. Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Copyright © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection also announced Tuesday that state residents have received seeds that appear to have originated from China. Americans are receiving packages with unknown seeds. Then, contact your State plant regulatory official for further instructions. Contact Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684 or arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us and provide your name, contact information, and the date the package was received. A lot, records show By Hayley Fowler. The New York State Department of Agriculture recommends storing them away from children and pets. © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Do not throw away the package or its contents. Do Not Plant These! They could be seeds of an invasive species that wreak havoc on the environment, destroy native plants, or severely damage crops, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Although the species identified so far are harmless, plant experts have warned that seeds from other parts of the world could damage crops. Keep the seeds, packaging, and mailing label in a safe place. It’s a bag of unknown seeds.If you receive one or know some who does, do not open the seeds!Take it all to your local police department or post office. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The handful of seeds arrive in little sealed clear plastic pouches and are tucked in standard-size light gray or beige envelopes — sometimes labeled as jewelry. Officials have warned the shipments of mystery seeds, which appear to have originated in China, could be invasive plant species. But that’s a lie! MILAN, Illinois — Mysterious packages of seeds, many postmarked from China, are showing up in mailboxes across the country. The Agriculture Department has said the packages are most likely part of a "brushing" scam, in which a seller sends unsolicited items to someone and then posts false positive customer reviews to boost sales. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Minnesotans should do the following if they have received unsolicited packages of seeds. Robin Pruisner, a state seed control official at the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Iowa, told Reuters that she has heard reports of a coating of possible insecticide or fungicide on the seeds, which could prove especially harmful to crops. But that’s a lie! Images tweeted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture show packets of unidentified seeds received in the mail, unsolicited, by state residents, apparently from China. People across the country are receiving mysterious packages from China that contain unknown seeds. "This is what’s being delivered by USPO [sic] to some people in my area. Melissa Matthews is the Health Writer at Men's Health, covering the latest in food, nutrition, and health. Caption. Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged people to be cautious. First, you should never plant seeds from unknown origins, warns the USDA. Packets of mystery seeds from China have been popping up in American mailboxes for the Last few weeks. >> no labels, nothing, so it was like, i don’t even know what kind of seeds these are. Texas Department of Agriculture is warning residents about what to do when receiving a shipment. Marshal for "uninformed" statement on shooting. I haven't had it in my hands yet, but it sounds an awful lot like a seed treatment," she said. Experts Explain. How We Know the New COVID Vaccines Are Safe, Check Out This Discount on Hydrow's Rowing Machine, These 14 HIIT Workouts Will Make You Ditch Cardio. Boston medical conference led to 300,000 COVID-19 cases, Biden facing pressure to pick Rep. Deb Haaland as Interior Secretary, Biden to nominate Tai for trade rep and McDonough for veterans affairs, Second gentleman to teach entertainment law at Georgetown, Biden introduces his pick to lead Defense Department, NAACP calls on Biden to appoint a racial equity adviser, Biden to nominate Marcia Fudge to lead HUD, Biden vows to distribute 100 million vaccine doses within first 100 days. Mystery seeds from China mailed to residents in Texas According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, around 200 cases have been reported in the state. The seeds are sent in packages usually stating that the contents are jewelry. Could people still be infectious after they're vaccinated for COVID-19? Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations.". The USDA said if you receive the packets of seeds, do not plant them and contact your state plant regulatory official. On Twitter, people have shared photos of their packages. 2020 Was Hell. He said hibiscus and roses were also found. "Somebody knows enough about you to create a profile online and use you to manipulate systems," Clark said. But you shouldn't get too excited if you receive unexpected packages from China— they could contain mysterious seeds, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Today we received reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Here’s what to do if you get a package. An investigation is underway. Posted Jul 29, 2020 . “There are basically two scenarios. Mysterious seeds from China have been shipped to Americans in all 50 states, an investigation has discovered. You Deserve a Seafood Tower. Do not plant any of the seeds. 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