Chocolate Firm Forced Into Bankruptcy By Poison Threat

VANCOUVER, B.C. - An anonymous threat of poisoned chocolates has driven a British Columbia candy company into bankruptcy.

Vancouver-based Tout Sweet Chocolates said yesterday it is $250,000 in debt because of the threats. The company laid off its 20 employees and stopped making chocolates after threatening letters were sent March 19 to Canada Safeway and several U.S. companies, including Starbucks.

The letters said some of Tout Sweet's chocolates had been laced with an unspecified poison. The stores pulled the chocolates off their shelves.

Police now say the poison threat appears to be a hoax. They are still searching for the letter writer.