European food producers were sent letters that contained unidentified powder and threats to poison their products if they did not pay money.
The companies threatened included Italian coffee companies Lavazza and Caffe Vergnano and Nutella producer Ferrero, The Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing northern Italian investigators.
Danish Crown, a meat producer, was also threatened, although the company said its employees and customers were not at risk, according to the AP.
{mosads}Danish authorities reportedly said the letters were sent from Belgium and included a hazardous substance. Danish broadcaster DR said notes were also sent to companies in Belgium, Germany, Austria and Britain. Swedish broadcaster SVT said a frozen-food company there also received white powder and a threat.
It was unclear whether the letters were connected, according to the AP.
The letters received in Denmark and Italy threatened to poison products if the companies did not pay 30,000 euros ($33,735), the AP reported, citing Danish media and Italian authorities.