The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has ordered the suspension of food licences issued to Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket over the online sale and listing of poisonous Datura (Dhatura) fruits and seeds for human consumption.
The department has also ordered an inquiry into the sale and online listing of Datura products, which were found being offered on various e-commerce platforms despite the products being toxic and posing a serious risk to human health if consumed.
According to the order, Datura fruits and seeds were displayed for sale on online platforms, with some listings carrying FSSAI licence or registration numbers. The authority said such products cannot be stored, sold or distributed as food given their poisonous nature and the potential threat to public health.
Representatives of the concerned food businesses appeared before the authority during the inquiry. The order noted that Amazon did not submit a response, while Swiggy Instamart sought additional time to submit documents detailing the action taken following the department's notice.
BigBasket informed the authority that it had stopped the sale of Datura fruits and would modify the labelling of such products in future to clearly state "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION".
However, the adjudicating authority found the explanations and responses unsatisfactory.
The department also noted that during inspections, packets containing Datura fruits and seeds were found carrying food licence or registration numbers. The products had also been stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.
Platforms Ordered To Remove Datura Listings
The authority has directed the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend all online listings and advertisements offering Datura fruits or seeds as food or for human consumption.
The platforms have also been directed not to display, sell or distribute the products for human consumption in the future.
As part of the action, competent authorities have been directed to temporarily suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket. The companies have been asked to submit compliance reports promptly.
The suspension can be considered for revocation only after a separate hearing and order following submission of the required compliance reports.
The action extends beyond the e-commerce platforms. The licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products to the platforms have also been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect by the concerned State and Central Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers.
The move underscores the regulatory focus on preventing products that are unsuitable or unsafe for human consumption from being sold through online food and grocery channels.
The Karnataka food safety authorities warned that any violation of the order would invite further action under the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.
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