Minnesota residents say they’re receiving ‘mystery seeds’ from China

Monday, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it has received a number of reports from residents who say they have received unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to come from China.

Similar reports have come from other states, according to MDA.

The department urges that anyone who receives the seeds should not plant the seeds or throw them away. They are also asked to contact MDA at 1-888-545-6684.

"We’re uncertain what these seeds may be and why people are receiving these unsolicited packages," Denise Thiede, MDA’s seed unit supervisor, said. "Until we know more, we encourage people to contact us because of the risk they may pose to Minnesota agriculture and our natural landscapes."

The MDA is working with the USDA’s Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance program to identify and destroy the seeds.