Coca-Cola Egypt has said in a statement that no Coca-Cola product produced in Egypt and across the Middle East countries contain any brominated vegetable oil (BVO).

"All of our beverages are safe and always have been - and comply with all local regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our highest priority," said the statement.

Earlier, Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage maker, said it planned to remove brominated vegetable oil from all its US drinks by the end of this year. This follows a campaign by food activists against use of BVO.

The additive, known as BVO, will be taken out of both ready-to-drink beverages and fountain-machine formulas, a Coca-Cola spokesman was quoted as saying.

BVO is used as a stabilizer in drinks helping prevent ingredients from separating. - TradeArabia News Service