The Saudi Arabian embassy in London insisted that authentic Zamzam water from Mecca was fit for human consumption despite allegations that it contained potentially dangerous levels of arsenic.

A BBC London report alleged that levels of arsenic three times the maximum permitted in drinking water had been found in samples of the water, which is sacred to Muslims.

The BBC said it had asked a pilgrim to take samples from taps which were linked to the Zamzam well and to buy bottles on sale in Mecca.

The Corporation claimed: “These showed high levels of nitrate and potentially harmful bacteria, and traces of arsenic at three times the permitted maximum level.”

A spokesman for the Saudi embassy tonight insisted: “There is no arsenic in genuine Zamzam water.”

In a statement, the embassy said: “Zamzam water from the Zamzam well in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia is not contaminated and is fit for human consumption.

“The water was analysed and tested in March this year by the Group Laboratories of CARSO-LSEHL in Lyon, which is licensed by the French Ministry of Health for testing drinking water.

“The March report said: ‘According to drinking water standards in France and based on the analyses conducted on the samples of Zamzam water, this water is fit for human consumption.’”

The Embassy said that genuine Zamzam water was “pure” and was collected and distributed by the “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz’ Zamzam project”, supervised by the Ministry of Water and Electricity in Saudi Arabia”.

It added: “This SR700 million project was inaugurated in September last year in the King’s name to ensure that the water reached the highest international standard of purity before being bottled and distributed.