Mystery packages of seeds from China have been mailed to people across Canada.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is investigating these mailings and asks anyone who received one to contact the agency. Some are labelled jewelry.
Unauthorized seeds could carry plant pests or be from invasive weeds, says the agency statement.
The seeds and package should be kept until an inspector from the CFIA contacts you.
Planting these unknown seed species could cause serious damage to Canadian plant resources, says the CFIA.
The United States Department of Agriculture investigated the mystery seed packages and identified 12 of the 14 seeds to include run of the mill seeds like mustard, cabbage, morning glory, mint. rosemary, lavender, hibiscus and rose/
The USDA emphasized the seeds shouldn't be planted as they may contain disease and or pests that could damage agricultural crops.
The Chinese Embassy in Canada says the Chinese writing on the packages is fake.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
