'No elephant excrement in Starbucks UAE coffee'

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Starbucks coffee does not contain elephant's excrement, the Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department clarified on Wednesday.

The department was responding to a newspaper claim that coffee products containing elephant droppings were being imported into the UAE. Officials said advanced control measures are used to prevent any such substances from entering local markets.

The municipality's Food Safety Department also contacted Starbucks Corporation in the UAE. "They confirmed that this kind of coffee is not sold at any of its branches in the Middle East and Africa. However, they do use this coffee at a few luxury hotels around the world. But the ingredient is not elephant stools, but rather a digestive enzyme found in the elephant's guts, that improves the taste of the coffee," an official said.

Dubai Municipality urged the public not to circulate false articles, and to check with authorities on such rumours.