Mystery Seeds Arriving in US Said to be From Solomon Islands
By Jimmy Nolan, Solomon Times
The United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA) is said to be investigating suspicious packets containing seeds from China and the Solomon Islands.
The unsolicited seed packages have shown up in people’s mails recently in all 50 states in the US.
"At this time, we don't have any evidence indicating this is something other than a 'brushing scam' where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales," the U.S. Department of Agriculture wrote on its website.
With either white or yellow packaging, the packages appear to have been shipped via China's state-run postal agency and contain Chinese characters on the outside.
Reports also state that some of the packages are labeled as having originated from the Solomon Islands.
"Anyone receiving seeds that they did not order should not open the packets or plant the seeds," Michael Wallace, director of communications at Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, told VOA.
"Residents should be cautious because planting seeds that are non-native to the United States could potentially be an invasive species that would be a detriment to the environment," warned Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain.