Why Karnataka Suspends Food Licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has taken action against the three e-commerce and quick commerce platforms after inspections found Datura fruits and seeds being stored and offered for sale using food registration or licence numbers.

The department has directed the platforms to immediately remove all listings, advertisements and promotional material related to Datura intended for food or human consumption. The action also extends to establishments and sellers supplying the products to the platforms.

What action has Karnataka taken against the platforms?

The food safety authorities have suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket until further orders. The department has also ordered concerned food business operators to discontinue the sale, distribution and promotion of Datura fruits and seeds for human consumption.

The action was initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.

Authorities said the suspension will remain in force until further orders. After receiving compliance reports and providing the concerned parties an opportunity for a hearing, the department will separately consider whether the suspensions should be revoked.

The action has also been extended to suppliers and sellers that provided Datura products to the three platforms, with authorities directed to initiate action concerning their food licences and registrations.

Why has the government acted against Datura listings?

The department said Datura possesses toxic properties and that consuming its fruits and seeds can cause serious adverse effects on human health. Officials said selling or distributing the plant material as food therefore poses a serious public health and food safety risk.

During inspections, officials found packets of Datura fruits and seeds carrying food registration numbers. The products were also found stored in a warehouse and listed for sale or distribution through online platforms.

The department has directed all concerned food businesses and online platforms to ensure strict and immediate compliance and has prohibited the future sale or distribution of Datura for food or human consumption.

What did the companies tell the authorities?

Representatives of the three companies appeared before the adjudicating authority on August 24.

Amazon did not submit a response to the notice, while Swiggy Instamart sought additional time to provide documents detailing the action it had taken after receiving the department's notice.

BigBasket told the authority that it had stopped selling Datura and changed how the product would be sold. It also said its labelling would be changed to clearly state that the product was not for human consumption.

The department found the responses unsatisfactory, citing the poisonous nature of Datura and the potential risk to public health.

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Why is Datura considered a serious food safety concern?

Experts cited in the reports said Datura contains toxic compounds and should not be consumed as food. Dr MJ Prabhu of the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority said the plant has medicinal applications but is not sold as a fruit and should not be consumed as one.

Datura contains tropane alkaloids including atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. Excessive consumption can cause severe intoxication, hallucinations, confusion and seizures.

Dr Aravinda SN, Lead Consultant – Internal Medicine at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, said ingestion of Datura fruit or seeds can affect the brain, heart and nervous system. Reported symptoms include dry mouth, intense thirst, dilated pupils, blurred vision, flushed skin and rapid heartbeat.

The incident highlights the food-safety risks associated with poisonous plant material being made available through online marketplaces and quick-commerce platforms.

Final Thought

The suspension highlights the growing responsibility of e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms to ensure that products listed under food categories meet basic safety requirements. While the authorities have acted against the platforms and suppliers, the incident also underscores the need for stronger checks on product listings, labelling and seller compliance to prevent potentially toxic products from reaching consumers.