Karnataka suspends food licences of Amazon, BigBasket, Swiggy Instamart over Datura sales

Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration has ordered suspension of the food licences of major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, BigBasket and Swiggy Instamart, for allegedly selling Datura fruits and seeds for human consumption.

The department said Datura fruits and seeds had been found displayed for sale on certain online platforms under FSSAI licences or registrations.

According to the department, the Datura plant possesses toxic properties and consumption of its fruits and seeds may cause serious adverse effects on human health.

"The sale, distribution, display for sale, or promotion of Datura fruits/seeds for food use or human consumption through any online platform is a matter of serious concern from the point of view of public health and food safety," it said.

The authorities have been directed to suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket and submit compliance reports, according to a release.

The department has also directed the platforms and other concerned food business operators to immediately remove all online listings, advertisements and promotional activities relating to Datura fruits and seeds intended for food or human consumption.

They have been prohibited from displaying or selling the products for human consumption in the future.

The action will also cover establishments and sellers supplying the products to the online platforms, with state and central food safety officials directed to suspend their licences or registrations with immediate effect.

The department said the issue of revoking the suspension of the platforms' licences would be considered separately after receiving compliance reports and providing the concerned parties an opportunity of hearing.

The action has been taken under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and rules and regulations framed under it.

Datura, commonly known as thorn apple, contains toxic compounds and ingestion of its seeds or other parts can cause poisoning.

The Food Safety and Drug Administration has directed all concerned food business operators and online platforms to ensure immediate compliance in the interest of public health and food safety.