from the shelves of a local retail chain.

Yesterday George Grundmueller, president and CEO of Phoenix Stores Limited, told The Royal Gazette the chain would no longer sell the particular "Mi-Chi'' flavour.

Mr. Grundmueller said the stores stocked numerous other beverages and continued: "We can do without one which promotes sexual energy.'' "Children go into the refrigerator case and are unsupervised,'' he added.

He admitted he was unaware of the product before being contacted yesterday, but noted it contained "not much of value except a lot of water and sugar''.

The controversial fruit-based beverage is called "Sexual Energy'' and sports a stalking black panther on its label.

A brief description on the back of the bottle claims the liquid is "balanced with yohimbe, damiana, and l-arginine to enhance your sexual appetite and promote energy and vitality''. A local health food store retailer acknowledged at least two of the herbs mentioned were indeed known to be used as aphrodisiacs.

But Marlyn Eastmond, of Down to Earth, said she strongly doubted that the levels contained in a fruit drink would be potent enough to have any effect.

Mi-Chi distributors were unavailable for comment.