Japanese candy firm got poison threats - Lotte - Ezaki Glico - Brief Article

Eurofood, August 31, 2000

Following the nationwide food poisoning scandal that hit Snow Brand dairy products in Japan, it has also been revealed that the national confectionery manufacturer Lotte has received threats that its products will be contaminated with poison unless the company pays [yen] 50m (507 000 [European Dollar]) in cash. The firm received the threats in two letters during the month of June, both were reported to the police.

A company spokesperson stated that no products were tampered with, no products were recalled and no payments were made. Another Japanese food company Ezaki Glico also said it received letters unless it paid a ransom of a similar amount, as well as a pharmaceutical company reporting similar poisoning threats.

Dairy company Snow Brand is still reeling from the effects of its poisoning outbreak, with the company recording record losses, due to the heavy compensation bill it faces.