This is either some kind of very odd city rule, or a municipality’s cynical way of prying more money out of business owners. San Antonio, Texas, is now requiring a lingerie store to have a food permit to stay in business.

And why, you ask? Because the store carries edible panties and other similar sex-themed items.

The owner of the store, Rosemary Beneitez, thought it was a joke at first. The Shades of Love shop — which carries adult sex toys, sexy lingerie and other items meant to enhance one’s love life — carries novelty items that are, in theory, edible. She was informed by the city that she needs to buy a food permit to sell them.

The permit costs about $230 a year, and the store must also submit to regular health inspections.

A food permit, in most towns, is something you must have if you are selling actual food.

Said Beneitez, “Everything is sold as novelty. Everything in the box says ‘novelty item’ only … It’s not something you sit down and actually eat. It’s more for licking and tasting. Edible? No. It’s not going to fill you up.”

San Antonio’s Sanitarian Services Manager, Stephen Barschewski, told us, “Any facility in the city of San Antonio that sells an edible substance requires a food establishment permit. One, it’s the law. Two, in case there’s a recall, we certainly want to know the source.”

Beneitez countered back, “I don’t think you would actually eat, lick, or taste enough of this that it would cause a big problem (as in food recalls). It’s absurd to me.”

Apparently Shades of Love isn’t the only establishment in San Antonio that has to fork over money for selling small edible items. The city is also requiring department stores and auto parts stores to have food permits because they sell candy bars.