Denmark Food Processing Cos Threatened 04/24 06:44

   Denmark: companies receive 'hazardous' powder in letters 

   COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Danish police are investigating a number of 
letters containing an unidentified powder and threats that were sent from 
Belgium to several food processing companies in Denmark.

   Uffe Stormly of Denmark's National Police says the letters contained "a 
hazardous substance." Stormly declined on Wednesday to disclose details about 
the letters as the investigation was ongoing.

   Danish media said the letters demanded a 30,000-euro ($33,735) ransom or 
their products would be infected.

   Danish Crown, which describes itself as Europe's largest meat processing 
company, confirmed it received such letters. It said, citing information from 
authorities, that the letters had been sent to several food-processing 
companies in Europe.

   The company said neither staff nor consumers were at risk. 


(KA)