Bird food recalled for containing invasive weed seed
By Griffin Beach on Monday, September 22nd, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON – Both the Oregon and Washington state Departments of Agriculture have issued a recall of seven-pound bags of Signature Pet Care Songbird Blend Wild Bird Food that has been sold at Albertsons, Safeway, and Haggan stores in both states. A release from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) says this is due to them containing Palmer amaranth, an invasive quarantined weed seed.
Palmer amaranth was first detected in Washington in 2023 and was added to the state’s plant quarantine list in August of this year. The Oregon State Weed Board lists Palmer amaranth as an “A-rated” weed, which targets it for early detection and containment with a goal of eradication where possible.
Both the WDA and Oregon State Department of Agriculture say the plant is highly evasive and can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds. It can choke out crops such as corn, soybeans, and small grains.
The recall was initiated when a Spokane County Noxious Weed Board employee observed Palmer amaranth growing in a Safeway parking lot landscape area. The employee learned that birdseed from the store had been spread in the area and collected samples for testing. Genetic analysis confirmed the seed contained Palmer amaranth.
WSDA says Albertsons, Safeway, and Haggan stores in both states have voluntarily recalled the affected birdseed and removed it from their store shelves. Global Harvest Foods is cooperating fully with both the WSDA and ODA to ensure all affected product is removed from the market.
Customers who purchased the recalled birdseed are advised to:
- Remove any remaining seed from bird feeders.
- Return any unused seed to the store for a refund.
- Double bag and dispose of any loose seed in the trash, do not compost.
- Clean bird feeders thoroughly before reuse to remove remaining seeds.
- Inspect areas under and near bird feeders for sprouted weeds, carefully remove any plants, place them in black plastic bags and dispose of them in the trash to prevent seed spread.
