Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket over the online sale of Datura fruits and seeds for human consumption.
The action followed a departmental investigation that found the poisonous plant products being listed as food on the platforms. Some packets were also found carrying FSSAI licence or registration numbers.
The FDA said consuming Datura can pose serious health risks and directed the platforms to immediately remove all listings and advertisements offering the products for human consumption. They have also been told to stop the sale, distribution and display of Datura as food.
The department has ordered further action against vendors and establishments supplying products to the online platforms. The companies have been asked to submit compliance reports.
During a hearing, Amazon did not submit a response, while Swiggy Instamart sought more time to provide details of the action taken. BigBasket said it had stopped selling Datura and would label future listings as “not for human consumption”.
However, the FDA found the responses unsatisfactory and continued the suspension until further orders.
The issue gained further attention after an Instagram user claimed that a Datura fruit was received as a free sample with an Instamart order. Her video, which received thousands of views, raised concerns over the safety of products being included with online grocery deliveries.
The FDA has asked the concerned platforms and sellers to comply with its directions immediately.