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Supplies of Coca-Cola could soon dry up in the US following disruption to the fizzy drink giant's supply chain.

The outbreak of coronavirus has resulted in Coke's supply of artificial sweeteners from China, used in sugar-free drinks Coke Zero and Diet Coke, being delayed.

In Coca-Cola's annual report released on Monday, it stated that production and exports for the company's sugar alternatives were held up due to the virus.

Although it doesn't expect its products to be affected in the short-term, longer term production could suffer if the situation continues to worsen, as reported by The Sun .

The statement said: "We have initiated contingency supply plans and do not foresee a short-term impact due to these delays.

"However, we may see tighter supplies of some of these ingredients in the longer term should production or export operations in China deteriorate."

Artificial sweeteners found in Coca-Cola include aspartame, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, cyclamate and steviol glycosides.

The company has not yet specified which of these sweeteners have been impacted by coronavirus, but did say it had put measures in place for workers aimed to help stop the spread of the virus.

It stated: "The safety and health of the company's associates remains a high priority

"The company has implemented precautionary measures to protect employees in China, which includes providing face masks and hand sanitizers; installing temperature screening in offices and manufacturing facilities."

Coca-Cola added: "We have initiated contingency supply plans for ingredients sourced from China, and we do not expect any impact to our customers or consumers at this time."

In the UK, 11 schools have been closed after hundreds of pupils and staff returned from ski trips in northern Italy's 'red zone'.

There are fears that British students, teachers and chaperones could have caught the killer bug in the country - where 12 people have died - and brought it back to the UK.

More than 300 workers have also been sent home from an office block in Canary Wharf, London, after an employee showed symptoms similar to coronavirus.