Karnataka Suspends Amazon, Instamart, BigBasket Food Licences Over Toxic Datura Listings

Karnataka has suspended the food licences and registrations of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket after poisonous Datura fruits and seeds were found being sold through their platforms for human consumption.

In an order dated August 24, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department directed the three platforms to immediately remove all listings, advertisements, and promotional material offering Datura, also known as Dhatura or thorn apple, as food or for human consumption.

The department said Datura fruits and seeds possess poisonous properties and their consumption could have serious adverse effects on human health. It said selling, distributing, storing, or displaying the products as food is impermissible.

Platforms Ordered To Remove Datura Listings

The matter came to the department’s attention after Datura fruits and seeds were found listed on online platforms using food licences and registrations.

During inspections, officials also found packages carrying food licence or registration numbers, with the products being stored in warehouses and sold or distributed through ecommerce platforms.

The department subsequently issued notices to the food business operators concerned, directing them to stop selling Datura through the platforms, remove related advertisements and listings, and submit written explanations.

During a hearing yesterday, Amazon did not submit a response to the notice, while Swiggy Instamart sought more time to furnish documents detailing the steps it had taken to comply with the department’s directions.

BigBasket told the department that it has stopped selling Datura and removed the listing. It also said it would change the labelling to clearly state that the products are “not for human consumption”.

The department said the explanations and oral submissions made by the platforms were not satisfactory.

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, the authorities ordered the suspension of the food licences of the three platforms. 

The platforms have also been directed to submit compliance reports. Once the reports are received, a separate hearing will be conducted to decide whether the suspensions should be lifted.

The order also covers sellers and organisations supplying Datura products through the three platforms. Their food licences and registrations have been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect by the relevant authorities.

The department has directed all concerned food business operators and ecommerce platforms not to sell, distribute, display, or promote Datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption in the future.

It warned that any violation of the order could result in further action under applicable laws

The Karnataka action comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of food safety practices at online grocery and quick commerce platforms.Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended 14 licences linked to Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart following inspections of 86 food establishments.

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