glass splinters were found in a "routine check''.

Almost 100,000 bottles of Heineken, one of the most popular local brews, were recalled before being shipped to the Island.

Mr. Richard Hartley, managing director of the Bermuda importers Burrows Lightbourn, said four containers of the beer had been recalled.

"The company sent us a fax to say that they had beer that they were going to be shipping to Bermuda but they had withdrawn it because of a production problem. They didn't tell us exactly why.

"We haven't received any of that problem beer. None of it has come into Bermuda.

"It doesn't matter because we've got plenty in stock.'' Beer on its way to seven other countries, including Britain, has also been withdrawn.

A spokesman for the Dutch firm said splinters were found in a routine check of green 33 cc (10-ounce) bottles in the brewery.

There had been no reports of injuries or pieces of glass turning up inside bottles on the shelf.

The company would destroy 17 million bottles and would have to recall around 3.5 million already exported.

About one percent of the 17 million withdrawn may contain splinters, he said.

"We are confident that we have identified all the affected stock.''