Katy Perry Album Release: ‘Roar’ Singer's 'Prism' CD Declared a Biohazard in Australia Because of ‘Risky Seeds’ [VIDEO]
Despite chart-topping sales that gave her the largest album sales week by a woman this year, Katy Perry has run into some trouble with her album Prism.
A packet of flower seeds included in deluxe versions of the album, an attempt by the singer to get fans planting and spreading the light, has resulted in the album being declared a biohazard in Australia, Daily Mail reported Wednesday.
The country's Department of Agriculture will inspect all imported copies of the record, fearing that the seeds will pose a risk to Australian wildlife because they are not native to Australia.
Perry's production company assured Australian officials that the Australian release of the album does contain locally sourced seeds for the Swan River Daisy, but biosecurity officials said international versions purchased online are still a risk to the Australian ecosystem.
A Department of Agriculture spokesperson said officials in the country would be on high alert for any foreign albums coming through customs, a concern that is likely to be warranted since last year Australians spent over $6 billion in consumer goods purchased over the Internet.
"Seeds or plant material of international origin may be a weed not present in Australia or the host of a plant pathogen of biosecurity concern," the spokesperson said. "The Australian government has a strong system in place to detect and respond to material of biosecurity concern-this includes inspection of mail, cargo and baggage."
Sara Bareilles: 'Brave' Singer Dishes on Katy Perry Amid Artistic 'Drama' Over 'Roar'
This is not the first issue Perry has had with the album. Her hit single Roar came under attack by fans of fellow singer Sara Bareilles, who claimed Perry ripped off the melody from Brave.
Bareilles, however, did not share the same sentiments as her fans.
"I don't feel like anything was taken from me artistically," she told The Huffington Post. " I wasn't the one having any problems with it...I look at it as two female artists who are releasing a message of empowerment."
