A nationwide ban on the energy drink Red Bull Cola looms in Germany after consumer ministries in two states found traces of cocaine in the product.

Authorities in the states of Hesse and North-Rhine Westphalia have ordered retailers to stop selling the drink that keeps people alert after a food safety institute found a non-cocaine extract of coca leaf in the drink.

The amount of cocaine in the cola does not pose a health threat but its use in foodstuff is banned, authorities said.

The findings led to the recall order and ban on Red Bull Cola in Hesse and North-Rhine Wesphalia. Wilhelm Deitermann, a spokesman for the North-Rhine Westphalia consumer ministry, told Telegraph.co.uk he expected most "if not all - other German states to follow suit and ban the drink."

Meanwhile, a Red Bull Cola spokesman defended the use of cocaine-free coca leaves in the drink saying coca is used worldwide as a safe natural flavoring in foods.