TORONTO -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning Canadians not to plant packages of 鈥渦nsolicited鈥� seeds.
The agency said in a statement that these seeds can contain invasive species and can be harmful to agricultural and natural areas.
鈥淒o not plant seeds from unknown origins,鈥� 鈥淯nauthorized seeds could be the seeds of invasive plants, or carry plant pests, which can be harmful when introduced into Canada.鈥�
the Ontario Provincial Police said the foreign seeds are typically sent from China or Taiwan.
The CFIA is urging anyone who receives these seeds to contact their regional CFIA office and keep the package until an inspector contacts you.
The United States Department of Agriculture , stating it鈥檚 believed the seeds are part of a 鈥渂rushing scam,鈥� in which a seller sends someone a cheap product or empty box, then uses that shipment information to create a fake review for the company, which can boost its rating on e-commerce sites.
USDA said it is collecting the seeds from those who鈥檝e received them for further testing.
