New Zealand is facing an "eco-terrorist" threat involving poisoned baby formula, the country's prime minister has said.
Police have launched a "priority investigation" after packages of formula containing poison were sent with anonymous letters to the National Farmers Federation and dairy giant Fonterra.
The poison was a pest control called 1080, which some critics say kills native wildlife.
Prime Minister John Key said: "It's a form of eco-terrorism without doubt.
"The person's motive is to try and bully the government into not using 1080 but the reality of anyone carrying out this threat is extremely low."
Parents have been warned to examine packaging for signs of tampering.
Supermarkets have removed formula cans from shelves to storerooms so shoppers cannot access them directly.
Deputy commissioner Mike Clement said: "Whilst there is a possibility that this threat is a hoax, we must treat the threat seriously and a priority investigation is under way."
The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council said extra testing had been introduced to reassure parents.
"This is an attack on Brand New Zealand," it said.
"Our country has a reputation for producing safe, high-quality food products which are in demand around the world, and this coward's letter doesn't change that at all.
"These letters are an attack on all New Zealanders, designed to gain publicity and cause the maximum damage to the New Zealand economy."
The blackmail attempt, originally made in November, was to contaminate products unless 1080 was banned by the end of March.
Thirty-six officers have been investigating, police said.
The threat is the latest controversy involving dairy production in the country.
A botulism scare last year involving Fonterra was eventually declared a false alarm - but not before formula was removed from shelves in China to Saudi Arabia.
New Zealand is the world's largest dairy exporter - and infant formula is a major component.
Infant Formula Exporters Association chairman Michel Barnett said the industry did not need another crisis.
"This could be extremely damaging for New Zealand's exports offshore," he told TVNZ.
"Not just dairy, not just milk formula, our whole reputation as an exporter of food is at risk as a result of this nutter."
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