Red Bull Blackmail Attempt Threatens Cans

Red Bull has revealed it has been the victim of a blackmail attempt, amid threats to contaminate cans of its energy drink on supermarket shelves.

The Vienna-based company said the threats started several weeks ago.

But Marcus Neher of the Salzburg public prosecutor's office said that "up to now there has only been a claim of contamination".

Red Bull said in a statement: "This threat is confined to product on sale in Austria.

"Checks at stores where the perpetrators claimed to have put contaminated goods have found nothing."

The company added: "We are cooperating closely with the police and share the opinion that we are close to the perpetrators and they will be found.

"We will be making no further comment while the investigation continues."

Red Bull, which has become a powerful force in advertising related to adventure and extreme sports, sells its caffeine-boosted energy drink worldwide.