Pop star Ariana Grande has apologised after being caught on camera in a doughnut shop saying ‘I hate America’ while sabotaging bakery treats with her saliva.

CCTV footage showed Grande licked and spat on random doughnuts on display at the Californian store, while the employees had their backs turned.

It also captured the 22-year-old canoodling with a man, reportedly her new boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, at the counter, before a staff member brought out a tray-full of doughnuts.

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The former Nickelodeon starlet then turned to the tray and said: “What the **** is that? I hate Americans. I hate America.”

After word spread about the incident, at Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, Grande released a statement, back-peddling.

“I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I’ve always made it clear that I love my county [sic],” Grande said.

“What I said in a private moment with my friend, who was buying the donuts, was taken out of context and I am sorry for not using more discretion with my choice of words.

Ariana Grande has also pulled out of a free concert this weekend. Photo: Getty

“As an advocate for healthy eating, food is very important to me and I sometimes get upset by how freely we as Americans eat and consume things without giving any thought to the consequences that it has on our health and society as a whole.

“The fact that the United States has the highest child obesity rate in the world frustrates me.”

Joe Marin, who owns 24-hour Wolfee Donuts, told Sky News US he reviewed the shop’s surveillance tape after an employee told him a famous singer had visited the night before.

He said he was shocked to see Grande lick two doughnuts with frosting and sprinkles and then spat on a powdered doughnut.

Her male companion also spat on a doughnut, according to Mr Marin.

Grande and the man were apparently daring each other to tamper with the food, he said.

“[It was] gross,” he said.

“I was mad. I was so angry. I was more concerned about the customers as I don’t know who bought those doughnuts.”

Grande also announced in a statement on Wednesday that she would not perform at a free gig on Saturday in Cincinatti, Ohio.

She blamed a recent wisdom tooth removal for her cancellation at the MLB All-Star Concert.

Demi Lovato will perform instead.