US singer Katy Perry is used to international scrutiny, but she probably did not expect her latest album, Prism, to become the subject of a bio-security investigation by Australia's Agriculture Department.

The source of the problem are flower seeds from Western Australia that she included in the album's packaging.

Vanessa Findlay, Australia's chief plant protection officer, says when the Department of Agriculture heard Perry's latest album contained a packet of flower seeds, it triggered Australia's biosecurity alarm.

"This is one of the more unique and strange things we deal with," she said.

Dr Findlay says while the Australian-produced CDs are cleared for sale, officers are being instructed to confiscate the seeds from international CDs.

"We've called [the record company] to make sure that we understand how the CDs were produced, where the seeds were sourced from," she said.

"And that's when they were able to give us information that made us confident that there wasn't a problem with the CDs here in Australia.

"But the ones that were produced internationally, the seeds were sourced from areas that might introduce pests or diseases.

"That's why we took the decision that we weren't comfortable with seed papers from internationally produced CDs coming to into Australia."

Dr Findlay says she cannot recall a time where the Department of Agriculture and pop music have crossed paths.

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"It's caused quite a stir around here. We've had lot of people walking around the halls talking about the Katy Perry CD," she said.

"Most people are excited to think that there's an attachment between biosecurity and someone as popular as Katy Perry."

And she says employees with kids have found themselves the source of some unexpected attention.

"I think most of us are famous at schools around Australia at the moment because [kids are saying] 'my mum and dad are working with Katy Perry'," she said.

Despite the problems, Fairfax music writer Bernard Zuel says publicity about the flower seeds will only add to Perry's success.

"It's a very nice extra bit of publicity for someone who isn't shy of publicity. These days you take every opportunity you can," he said.

"I think we should be investigating all albums coming to Australia for the potential for harm to our lives, not necessarily agriculture but possibly to our mental and emotional health as well."

Via Twitter, Perry said the seeds should be planted to spread the light, and Mr Zuel says there could be something in that idea.

"The opportunities are fabulous. You could ask your audience to plant a seed and replace a tree. So many opportunities that will waste a lot of money but make for very cute discussion," he said.