Poison in holy water from Mecca: Illegal bottles on sale in London contain arsenic

Drinking water containing arsenic is being sold illegally in London to Muslims who believe it is holy, an investigation has found.

"Zam Zam water" from a well in Mecca is considered sacred by Muslim pilgrims. Visitors are allowed to bring back small amounts but Saudi Arabia has banned any commercial export.

However, a BBC investigation has found that large quantities have been sold in shops in London. Tests on water from the well show that it contains high levels of nitrates and arsenic, suggesting the source is contaminated.

Undercover reporters were able to buy Zam Zam water in Muslim bookshops in Wandsworth and Upton Park and in Luton. Posing as a dealer, a reporter also infiltrated a warehouse where bottles were hidden before being sold to shops or directly to customers.

The owner of an Islamic bookshop in Upton Park was secretly recorded saying: "I have some people - they depend on it, they don't drink anything else."

Dr Duncan Campbell, president of the Association of Public Analysts, said: "The water is poisonous, particularly because of the high levels of arsenic, which is a carcinogen and can cause cancer. "

Dr Yunes Ramadan Teinaz, an environmental health officer, said it was a "sensitive" issue. He added: "People see this water as a holy water. They find it difficult to accept that it is contaminated but the authorities in Saudi Arabia or in the UK must take action."

None of the three shops would comment on why they were selling the water but it is believed that it has now been removed from their shelves.

The Saudi embassy in London declined to comment.

See the report on BBC London News at 6.30pm tonight