UPDATE: 1,200 Floridians receive suspicious seeds through mail
USDA is telling people to not plant the seeds
Jon Jankowski, Digital journalist
Officials warn of suspicious seed packages disguised as jewelry. (Image: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) (WKMG)
ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 1,200 people have received suspicious seed packages through the mail, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The suspicious seeds have been reported in most states, according to Florida officials.
UPDATE: @FDACS has 1,209+ reports from Floridians on suspicious seeds.
❎Don't open packet, plant seeds, or throw in trash ✅Place all in plastic bag ✅Unopened: report to @USDA_APHIS 800-877-3835 ✅Opened w/seeds: report at https://t.co/9c1kx7dDzz for pickup or @UF_IFAS dropoff
— Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) July 31, 2020
The USDA said they will continue tests on seeds, but the content of the packages remains unknown at this time.
State officials remind people who get the seeds in the mail to not open the packet and do not plant the seeds.
The USDA wants people who receive the seeds to put the packet and mailing materials in a sealable plastic bag and report the package to the Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517.
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