For a second there we started to regret our morning cup of joe but not to fear – it’s just been confirmed that Starbucks coffee in Dubai definitely does not contain animal excrement.

Rumours started to circulate on social media after a Turkish newspaper claimed the US-founded chain was exporting coffee products laced with elephant poop.

However Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department has released a statement categorically denying the hearsay, and urged people to stop spreading the false article.

“The department confirms through sophisticated regulatory procedures that this type of coffee is not imported to the UAE and it does not exist at all in our local markets,” the statement posted on social media read, adding that the department had also contacted Starbucks’ UAE headquarters.

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A photo posted by Starbucks Middle East (@starbucksmiddleeast) on

“The company has confirmed that it has never used this kind of coffee 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.”

Mmm, tasty… we’ve never been so glad we don’t have the budget for luxury hotels.

The said product is called Black Ivory Coffee, which is made from undigested beans picked out of elephant droppings in Thailand. The beans are washed (phew), dried and roasted before being served, and the animal’s enzymes supposedly make the coffee taste less bitter.

Still, we’re happy with a plain old Americano for now…

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Images: Instagram/Starbucks